DIARY  or  COLONEL 
ISRAEL  ANGELL 

1778  -  1781000000 


EDWARD  FIELD 


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DIARY    OF 

COLONEL    ISRAEL  ANGELL 


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Diary  of  Colonel  Israel  Angell:  Commanding 
the  Second  Rhode  Island  Continental  Regi- 
ment during  the  American  Revolution, 
I778-I78I. 

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Diary  of  Colonel 

ISRAEL  ANGELL 

Commanding  the  Second 

Rhode  Island  Continental 
Regiment  during  the 
American  Revolution 

1778-1781 

Transcribed   from   the  Original   Manuscript 

Together  with   a   Biographical    Sketch   of   the  Author 
and    Illustrative    Notes   by 


EDWARD     FIELD,    A.B. 

JJlstorian  of  the  R.I.  Society  of  the  Sons  of  the  American  Revolution 


ILLUSTRATED 


PROVIDENCE,   R.r. 
PRESTON    AND    ROUNDS    COMPANY 

1899 


Copyright,  1899 

BY 

EDWARD    FIELD 


THIS    VOLUME    IS    DEDICATED 

TO 

THE     MEMORY     OF     MY     GREAT-GRANDFATHER 

Sarins   ^Tfjuvtirr 

A     FIFER     AND      PRIVATE     IN     CAPTAIN     WILLIAM     TEW's 
COMPANY 

OF 

COLONEL     ISRAEL     ANGELL  S     REGIMENT 

AND     TO     HIS     COMRADES 
IN     ARMS 


960334 


PREFACE. 


THE  diaries  here  printed  are  in  six  separate  parts,  five 
of  them  being  the  property  of  Malcolm  H.  Angell, 
Esq.,  of  Etna,  Bergen  County,  New  Jersey,  while  the 
other  (Part  Two)  is  the  property  of  a  descendant  of 
Colonel  Angell  in  Rhode  Island.  The  pages  on  which  the 
entries  are  written  are  about  three  and  one  half  inches  wide 
bv  six  and  three  quarters  inches  long.  The  sections  or 
parts  of  the  diary  vary  as  to  the  number  ot  pages,  and  are 
stitched  together  without  covers. 

Their  general  appearance  is  indicated  by  the  fac-simile 
page  accompanying  this  work.  The  whole  diary  has  been 
carefullv  transcribed  and  copious  notes  added.  It  is  hoped 
that  these  annotations  will  add  to  the  interest  of  the  diary 
itself,  and  be  found  useful  in  identifying  and  describing 
persons  and  places  briefly   referred  to  by   the  diarist. 

In  preparing  the  great  number  of  notes  which  is  contained 
in  the  work,  I  have  been  aided  by  many  persons,  but  to 
name  all  would  be  beyond  the  possibilities  ot  this  preface; 
to  all  such  persons,  however,  I  return  grateful  thanks.  I 
desire  to  particularly  acknowledge  my  obligation  to  Malcolm 
H.  Angell,  Esq.,  for  permitting  me  to  have  in   my  custody 


VI 11  PREFACE. 

the  parts  of  the  diary  owned  by  him,  and  to  Mr.  Harris  W, 
Brown  for  the  use  of  the  other  section  under  his  control. 
To  His  Excellency  Elisha  Dyer,  Governor,  and  to  the  Hon. 
Charles  P.  Bennett,  Secretary  of  State,  I  am  indebted  for 
courtesies  extended  in  securing  for  the  work  the  illustration 
of  the  standard  carried  during  the  war  by  Colonel  Angell's 
regiment. 

In  addition  to  the  diaries  here  printed  Colonel  Angell 
has  left  two  others:  one  of  them  describes  the  happenings  on 
a  journev  to  the  Ohio  Valley  in  1788,  the  other  a  trip  to 
Philadelphia  in  1792  ;  both  these  are  of  peculiar  interest 
from  the  notes  which  the  writer  made  on  the  condition  of 
these  localities  at  that  early  period. 

EDWARD    FIELD. 

Providence,  R.I.,  October  4,  1899. 


COLONEL  ISRAEL  ANGELL 


ISRAEL  ANGELL  was  a  descendant  in  the  fifth  gen- 
eration of  Thomas  Angell,  who  came  to  Providence 
with  Roger  Williams  ;  he  was  the  son  of  Oliver  and 
Naomi  (Smith)  Angell,  and  was  born  in  that  part  of  the 
town  of  Providence  now  included  in  North  Providence, 
Aug.  24,   1740. 

He  received  more  than  the  usual  education  afforded  the 
vouth  of  that  period,  for  his  mother  had  been  a  teacher  in 
one  of  the  country  schools  and  was  thus  able  to  give  her  son 
many  advantages  of  learning.  He  seems  to  have  been  con- 
versant with  scientific  subjects,  was  particularly  fond  of  natu- 
ral history,  and  in  his  later  years  made  many  notes  on  this 
branch  of  science  as  he  travelled  through  sections  of  the 
country  on  public  business.  He  is  also  said  to  have  been  an 
enthusiastic  student  of  astronomy. 

At  the  verv  beginning  of  the  troubles  with  the  mother 
country  Israel  Angell  took  an  active  part.  \\'hen  the  army 
of  observation  was  ordered  raised  by  the  General  Assembly 
of  Rhode  Island  in  1775,  he  was  commissioned  Major  of  the 
regiment  commanded  by  Col.  Daniel  Hitchcock.  The  regi- 
ment to  which  he  was  attached    furmcil  a  part  ot   the  Ameri- 

ix 


X  COLONEL   LSRAEL   AN  CELL. 

can  armv   laving   siege   to   Boston   and    bore    its    part   in    the 
events  vvhicli  subsequently  transpired. 

There  is  a  letter  yet  preserved  among  the  manuscripts  of 
the  Rhode  Island  Historical  Society  written  bv  Israel  Angel! 
to  his  brother,  dated  at  Prospect  Hill,  Dec.  i,  1775.  It 
gives  a  clear  idea  of  the  character  of  the  man  who  was  des- 
tined to  bear  so  conspicuous  a  part  in  the  struggle  for  inde- 
pendence, and  for  that  reason  it  is  here  printed  : 

Prospect  Hill,  December  the  ist  1775. 
Dear  brother  — 
I  take  this  oppertunitv  to  inform  you  that  I  Still  Enjov  that 
Blessing  which  is  mv  health,  God  be  Praised,  and  I  hope 
that  vou  and  all  vours  Receves  the  Same  blessing.  I  was  in- 
form'', bv  Our  brother  Elish  that  there  was  no  nails  to  be  had 
in  Providence  but  that  you  thought  likely  there  was  Some  in 
Newport,  and  If  there  is  Pray  Brother.  Send  and  git  them 
and  See  that  one  Room  is  furnished  this  winter  otherwise  I 
Shall  be  very  Discontented  about  my  familey.  and  only  Send 
to  me  and  let  Me  know  what  Sum  of  money  you  Shall  want 
to  Carrv  on  the  Business  and  I  will  Send  it  as  Soon  as  Possi- 
ble, there  is  no  Nails  to  be  had  in  this  Part  of  the  world 
and  what  news  We  have  I  Suppose  you  will  hear  of  long  be- 
fore this  reaches  You  the  Privatears  from  Marblehead  have 
taken  a  brigg  from  England  to  Boston  Loded  with  war  like 
Stores  ;  one  Brass  13  inch  Morter  Bead  and  all  Compleat  2 
Brass  Six  Pounders  2000  Kings  Arms  —  a  great  Quantitv  of 
Cannon  Shoot  And  cartridges  for  both  Cannon  and  Small 
arms  a  Number  of  Carbines  and  in  Short  Every  war  like 
article  that  Can  be  Mentioned  all  which  is  a  Comming  out 
to  Cambrig  and  other  Places  from  the  Sea  Shore,  there  was  a 
malenculy  Affair  happened   a   few  days   Past  at  —  deadham 


COLOXEL  ISRAEL  AXGELL.  xi 

Col'  huntingdon  Wife  from  Conneticut  hanged  her  Self  there 
She  was  Governer  Trumbels  Daughter  of  Conneticut  &:  Sis- 
ter to  our  Commisarry  general  in  Cambrig  Brother  I  am 
much  allarm''  At  the  News  of  the  Conduct  of  the  People  in 
Providence  And  the  towns  adjecent  to  hear  that  they  are 
likely  to  Rise  in  mobs  on  the  account  of  Salts  rising  and  Some 
other  Small  Articals  I  begg  of  Every  honest  and  well  mcnt 
Person  both  in  town  and  country  to  Exert  them  Selves  to 
The  utmost  of  their  Power  to  Surpress  aney  riotous  Proceed- 
ing Among  your  Selves  Especily  at  this  time  for  God  Sake 
Let  us  unite  all  as  one  in  America  if  we  dont.  but  fall  at 
varance  among  our  Selves,  of  all  Gods  Creation  we  Shall  be 
the  most  Miserablest     So  no  more  at  Present 

Your  &:c 
To  Hope  Angell  Israel  Angell 

Esqr  of  North 

Providence  Brother  I  am  afraid  you  Can  Never 

Read  the  above  lines  as  They  was 
wrote  in  a  few  minutes  And  with  a 
bad  Pen  and  poor  Ink. 

Upon  the  formation  of  the  Second  Rhode  Island  Regi- 
ment Daniel  Hitchcock  was  elected  Colonel  and  Israel 
Angell  Lieutenant-Colonel,  and  the  regiment  was  despatched 
to  join  the  grand  armv  under  Washington. 

Upon  the   death  of  Colonel  Hitchcock   the   command   o 
the  regiment   was  given    to    Angell,    his  commission    bein^ 
dated  Jan.    13,    1777;   this  position  he   held  until   the  First 
and   Second   Regiments  were  consolidated. 

In  August,  1777,  his  regiment  was  at  Peckskill,  N.^'., 
from  which  place  he  wrote  the  following  pathetic  letter  to 
the  Governor  of  Rhode  Island: 


xii  COLONEL   ISRAEL  AN  CELL. 

Camp  No  2  August  27—1777 
Gentlemen,  Pure  necessity  urges  me  to  trouble  you  this 
once  more  in  behalf  of  ye  Troops  under  my  command  ;  you 
will  easily  recollect  that  I  have  repeated  my  Solicitations 
before  you  on  ye  Subject  of  their  cloathing  as  far  as  was 
decent. 

I  did,  indeed  expect  when  I  came  from  Home  to  find  my 
men  poorly  Habitted  nor  was  I  disappointed  their  Dress 
even  exceeded  for  badness  what  I  had  imagined  to  myself. 
Not  one  half  of  them  can  not  be  termed  fit  for  duty  on 
any  immergency;  Of  those,  who  of  them  went  with  me 
on  a  late  expedition  near  to  Kings  bridge  many  were  bare 
foot,  in  consequence  of  which  its  probable  they  won't  be  fit 
for  duty  again  for  many  week  5  of  them  there  deserted  to 
ye  enemy  which  I  have  reason  to  beleive  was  principally 
owing  to  ye  non  fulfillment  of  engagements  on  ye  part  of  ye 
State  and  what  may  be  expected  better  than  this  that  more 
will  follow  their  example  while  they  daily  experience  that 
publick  faith  is  not  to  be  depended  on.  In  fine  ye  Regi- 
ment is  scandallous  in  its  appearance  in  ye  view  ot  every 
one — and  has  because  of  this  incurred  from  surrounding 
regiments  from  ye  inhabitants  of  Towns  thro  which  they 
have  lately  passed,  ye  disagreeable  and  provoking  Epithets 
of  the  Ragged  Lousey  Naked  Regiment.  — Such  treatment, 
gentlemen,  is  discouraging  dispiriting  in  its  tendency  :  it 
does  effectually  unman  ye  Man  and  render  them  almost  use- 
less in  ye  Army  I  am  sorry  to  have  occasion  to  continue  my 
complaint  in  their  behalf  but  as  I  look  upon  it,  a  matter,  not 
of Empertinence  but  of  Inportance  I  cannot  retrain  injustice 
to  them. 

I  pray  gentlemen  you  would  as  speedily  as  possible  inform 
me  of  ye  result  of  your  Deliberation  on    the    Matter  and  let 


COLONEL  LSRAEL  AXGELL.  xiii 

me  Know  whether  they  are  likely  very  soon  to  have  relief. 
It  this  is  not  ye  case  I  shall  look  upon  myself  in  Honour 
Bound   to  make  my  Application   some  where  else 

I  am  gentlemen  with  all  due  Respect  Your  Honours  hum- 
ble Servant 

Israel  Angell  Colo. 

To  his  Honour  ye  Gov.  &  Council  State  R.  1. 

Colonel  Angell  participated  in  the  battles  of  the  Brandy- 
wine  and  Red  Bank  and  was  with  the  armv  during  the 
terrible   winter  of   1 777-1 778   at   Vallev   Forge. 

His  regiment  bore  a  conspicuous  part  in  the  battle  of  Mon- 
mouth, and  soon  after  this  engagement  he  with  his  regiment 
was  detached  from  the  main  army  and  sent  to  Rhode  Island 
to  unite  with  General  Sullivan  in  the  operations  against  the 
enemy  at  Newport,  R.I.  For  distinguished  services  at  the 
battle  of  Springfield,  June  23,  1780,  he  was  the  subject  of 
special  mention  by  General  Washington  in  a  letter  to  Gov- 
ernor Greene  of  Rhode  Island. 

Upon  the  consolidation  of  the  two  Rhode  Island  regi- 
ments Colonel  Angell  retired  from  the  position  he  had  held 
so  long. 

By  the  Act  of  Congress  of  Oct.  3,  1780,  this  was 
not  to  take  effect  until  the  first  of  January  following,  but  it 
seems  that  it  was  some  months  later  than  this  before  he 
wrote  in  his  diary  that  his  days  as  a  military  commander 
ceased. 

Upon  retiring  from  military  life  Colonel  Angell  returned 
to  his  home  in  the  town  of  JohnstiMi,  where  he  carried  on  iiis 


XIV  CO  I. ox  EL   ISRAEL  AX  CELL. 

farm  and  followed  his  trade  as  a  cooper;  at  the  same  time  he 
was  granted  a  license  to  keep  a  public  house. 

His  tavern  was  a  popular  place  of  resort  and  was  widely 
known  for  its  excellence  and   hospitality. 

Late  in  life  he  moved  into  the  town  of  Smithfield,  where 
he  died  May  31,  1832,  in  his  ninety-second  year.  He  is 
described  by  one  who  remembered  him  as  of  "medium 
height,  light  complexion,  auburn  hair  surmounted  by  a  wig, 
blue  eves,  a  strong  Roman  nose,  and  straight  as  a  ramrod."  ' 

Colonel  Angell  was  three  times  married  and  is  said  to 
have  contemplated  a  fourth  venture  when  death  terminated 
his  life.  "  In  love  and  in  war  Colonel  Angell  was  a  conspicu- 
ous figure. 

'  Statement  in  a  sketch  of  the  life  and  services  of  Col.  Israel 
Angell  read  before  the  Rhode  Island  Society  of  the  Sons  of  the 
American  Revolution,  Feb.  22,   1897,  hy  Robert  P.  Brown,  Esq. 

*  His  first  wife  was  Martha  Angell,  his  second  cousin,  who  died 
March   16,   1793.     By  her  he  had  eleven  children: 


Mary 

June  17,  1766. 

Elizabeth 

April  27,  1768. 

Sarah 

October  17,  1769. 

Asa 

August  24,  1 771. 

Abner 

February  21,  1773. 

Israel 

.September  12,  1775 

Martha 

August  23,  1779. 

Naomi 

September  i,  1781. 

Ruth 

May  10,  1785. 

Stephen 

July  4,  1787. 

Oliver 

December  i,  1790. 

His  second  wife  was  Susannah  Wright  and  by  her  he  had  six 
children  : 


COLOXEL  ISRAEL  AX  CELL. 


XV 


"  He  had  seventeen  children,  eleven  bv  his  first  wife  and 
six  by  the  second,  and  of  the  seventeen,  thirteen  reached 
maturity  and  eight  became  octogenarians." 

He  was  buried  in  the  family  graveyard  on  his  old  farm 
in  Johnston  on  the  South  Scituate  road.  For  years  this 
ancient  burving-place  has  been  abandoned  and  neglected,  and 
the  mutilated  marble  stone  which  marked  his  last  resting- 
place,  when  the  writer  visited  the  spot  a  vear  or  so  ago  was 
Iving  broken  upon  the  ground.  An  iron  marker  of  the 
Sons  of  the  American  Revolution  has  been  placed  over  the 
spot  bv  the  Colonel's  great-grandson,  Harris  W.  Brown,  Esq. 

His  military  record  as  compiled  by  Heitman  in  his 
"  Officers  of  the  Continental  Armv  "  is  as  follows  : 

"  Angell,  Israel  (R.I.),  Major  of  Hitchcock's  Rhode 
Island  Regiment,  3d  Mav  to  December,  1775.  Major  1  ith 
Continental  Infantry,  ist  January  to  3  ist  December,  1776. 
Lieutenant-Colonel  2d  Rhode  Island,  1st  January,  1777. 
Colonel,  13th  lanuary,  1777;  retired  ist  January,  1781. 
(Died,  —  May,  1832.)" 

Such  in  brief  is  the  history  of  the  man  whose  diaries  are 
here  presented.      His  conspicuous  service,  his   gallantry  and 


Born. 

Luther     . 

May  11,  1794. 

Infant  sou 

February,  1794,  died  young. 

Susannah 

January  23,  1798. 

Mehitaljle 

January  31,  1800. 

Henry 

May  21,  1802. 

Isaac 

January  20,  1S09. 

The  third  wife  was  Sarah  Angell,  the  widow  of  Richard  Angcil. 
(Angell  Genealogy,  page  80.) 


XVI  COLONEL  ISRAEL  ANGELL. 

bravery,  demand  more  recognition  than  is  now  or  has  here- 
tofore been  given  him.  No  adequate  historv  of  his  life  has 
ever  been  written,  but  fugitive  sketches  have,  from  time  to 
time,  appeared  in  various  publications  in  which  his  ser- 
vices have  been  briefly  told.  Some  years  ago  a  descendant  -^ 
secured  from  various  sources  most  of  his  private  papers,  the 
service  sword  which  he  had  carried  so  honorably  through 
the  war,  and  many  other  relics  and  mementoes,  for  the 
purpose  of  using  them  in  preparing  a  proper  record  for 
publication.  They  were  all  taken  without  the  countrv,  but 
ere  they  could  be  put  to  this  purpose  the  person  in  whose 
custody  they  were  died,  and  all  this  valuable  material  has 
been  lost.  No  portrait  exists  to  preserve  the  features  and 
appearance  of  this  striking  personage  in  the  history  of  the 
War  for  Independence. 

'  Hon.  Anson  Burlingame. 


DIARY 

OF 

COLONEL  ISRAEL  ANGELL 


SECOND  RHODE  ISLAND  REGIMENT  OF  THE 
CONTINENTAL  LINE. 


The  standard  of  which  this  is  a  photographic  reproduction 
was  borne  by  AngelPs  Second  Rhode  Island  Regiment  during 
the  American  Revokition  until  its  dissolution.  It  is  preserved 
with  that  of  the  First  Rhode  Island  Regiment  in  the  State  House 
at  Providence,  R.I.  When  these  two  regiments  were  consoli- 
dated, January  i,  1781,  both  became  the  colors  of  the  Rhode 
Island  Regiment.  On  February  28,  1784,  Jeremiah  Olney,  the 
last  Colonel  of  the  Regiment,  in  behalf  of  the  officers  deposited 
these  standards  with  the  State  for  preservation.  The  proceedings 
and  correspondence  relative  to  the  matter  may  be  found  in  the 
"Rhode  Island  Colonial  Records,"  Vol.  X.,  p.  14. 


PART    ONE. 


THE  diary  of  Colonel  Angell  begins  with 
the  twentieth  of  August,  1778.  The  regi- 
ment which  he  commanded  was  then  encamped 
at  Tiverton,  R.I.,  and  formed  a  part  of  the  army 
under  Gen.  John  Sullivan,  then  engaged  in  the 
operations  against  the  British  forces  on  Rhode 
Island. 

It  details  the  happenings  from  day  to  day 
during  the  siege,  and  terminates  September  23, 
1778,  when  Colonel  Angell  was  at  his  home 
in  Johnston  on  leave  of  absence  by  reason  of 
sickness. 

The  regiment  had  then  taken  up  quarters 
about  a  mile  above  Warren,  where  it  was  en- 
camped. 

August  20th,  1778.  A  cloudy  foggy 
morning  but  broak  away  by  nine  o'clock  and 
the  Canon  begun  to  play.  Gov.  Bradford ' 
Come  to  my  quarters  this  day  and  Dind  with 

'  William  Bradford,  Deputy  Governor  of    Rhode  Island   from 

November,  1775,  to  May,  1778. 


2  THE   DIARY   OF 

US.  I  was  ordered  on  duty  to  day  and  Marched 
of  with  a  detachment  of  500  men  as  a  Cover- 
ing party  at  five  oclock  P.M.  and  Releaved 
Colonel  Wigglesworth,"  the  french  fleet  not 
being  yet  heard  of  ■  Spread  great  consternation 
in  the  Army. 

21st.  A  pleasant  Morning  but  Some  foggy 
there  was  an  Exceeding  heavy  fire  from  both 
Armys  to  day,  with  Cannon  and  Hoitzers  we 
had  but  one  man  hurt  and  he  had  the  Calf  of 
his  leg  Shot  away  by  a  Cannon  Shot  as  he  was 
going  to  Carry  his  mesmates  Some  Vittles  I 
was  Releaved  by  Col.  Jacobs^  about  8  oclock  in 
the  evening. 

August  22d,    1778.     A    Clowdy   thick 

'Edward  Wigglesworth  (Mass.),  Captain  Company  of  Massa- 
chusetts Matrosses,  29th  June,  1776;  Colonel  Massachusetts  Militia 
in  1776;  Colonel  13th  Massachusetts,  1st  January,  1777;  resigned 
loth  March,  1779.  (Died  8th  December,  1826.) — (Heitman's 
"Officers  of  the  Continental  Army.") 

*  Diary  of  Fleet  S.  Greene,  written  in  Newport,  in  "Historical 
Magazine,"  i860,  Vol.  IX.,  under  date  August  20,  notes,  "At  11 
o'clock  this  morning  a  Fleet  appeared  standing  off  about  W.  N.W. 
with  the  wind  at  S.W  :  it  is  thought  to  be  the  French."  The  same 
period  covered  by  this  diary  of  Angell's  is  also  covered  by  the 
Greene  diary,  and  being  an  account  of  the  happenings  within  the 
British  lines  is  of  peculiar  interest  in  connection  with  Angell's 
statements.  See  "  Historical  Magazine,"  i860,  Vol.  IV.,  1-34,69, 
105,  134,  172. 

^Heitman  mentions  a  John  Jacobs,  Massachusetts,  who  was 
Lieutenant-Colonel  of  the  23d  Continental  Infantry.  Colonel 
Jacobs  is  mentioned  in  the  "After  Orders"  of  August  15  as  one 
of  the  Field  Officers. 


COLONEL    ISRAEL    AN  CELL.  3 

morning  with  a  North  F.ast  wind  and  Cold  we 
had  a  great  Number  of  Cannon  Carried  to  the 
different  Batteries  last  Evening  in  order  to 
open  upon  the  Enemv  this  morning,  but  the 
weather  being  thick  prevented  our  beginning 
the  fire  so  soon  as  we  Should  had  the  weather 
have  been  clear,  on  Circumstance  I  forgot  to 
mention  the  night  before  last  after  I  had  fin- 
ished my  journal  for  that  Day  there  was  an 
Express  come  to  headquarters  from  Count  D'' 
Estaing  the  french  Admiral  who  had  arived 
and  lay  without  the  light  hous  '  and  yesterday 
we  saw  the  Ships  two  of  them  had  ben  Dis- 
masted in  the  late  Storm  one  was  the  Admirals 
ship  ^  she  was  totally  dismasted  the  others  had 
her  Mizen  mast  Carried  away,  and  her  main 
top  one  Simmons  from  Providence  was  badly 
wounded  by  the  Bursting  of  a  Shell  there  was 
but  lift  firing  to  day  to  what  there  was  yesterday. 
August  23d,  1778.  A  thick  morning 
and  Cool,  the  Enemy  flung  Shells  the  Greatist 
part  of  the  night  past,  and  this  morning  the 
Batteries  on  our  Side  was  opened  on  the  Enemy 
and  a  most  terrible  Cannonade  kept  up  during 
the  day. 

'  Beaver  Tail  Light-house  at  southern  end  of  the  island  of  Conani- 
cut  (subsequently  destroyed  by  the  IJritish). 
'^  The  "  I.aiiguedoc." 


4  THE  DIARY  OF 

I  dind  with  Gen'  Greene '  to  day,  the  French 
fleet  Left  us  to  day  bound  to  Boston  and  I 
think  left  us  in  a  most  Rascally  manner  and 
what  will  be  the  Event  God  only  knows  we 
had  one  man  kill'd  and  one  or  two  wounded, 
one  Eighteen  pounder  and  one  Brass  ten  inch 
morter  was  split  to  day  but  kild  no  man.' 

August  24th,  1778.  A  Smoking  thick 
morning  the  Enemy  Continued  throwing  Shells 
all  the  night  past,  and  to  day  the  Cannonade 
Continued  very  Sevear  I  and  Col  Olney  was 
Curious  Enough  to  measure  all  the  Covered 
way  ^  which  was  1 5 1 2  yards,  in  the  afternoon 
we  got  our  thirteen  inch  morter  to  play  and 
flung  three  Shell  but  did  no  execution  they 
broak  in  the  air  as  the  fues  was  two  Short. 

25th.  A  clear  hott  morning  and  a  sevear 
Cannonade  and  Bumbarding  Still  kept  up  and 
Continued  the  whole  Day,  we  got  off  some  of 
our  heavier  Baggage  to  day  in  order  to  make  a 
Retreat  of  the  Island  in  Case  necessity  required 

'  Gen.  Nathanael  Greene,  who  had  been  detached  from  the  main 
army  to  cooperate  in  SuUivan's  expedition. 

^  Rev.  Manasseh  Cutler,  Chaplain  of  Ti^comb's  Regiment,  says  in 
his  diary  under  this  date,  "  One  man  Killed  by  a  cannon  ball  at  one 
of  our  guns;  another  died  of  the  wound  he  received  yesterday  by 
the  bursting  of  a  shell  .  .  .  Our  people  split  one  eighteen 
pounder  and  one  nine  and  a  half  inch  mortar." 

^  The  covered  way  is  shown  on  the  battle  map  of  Sullivan's 
expedition  accompanying  this  work. 


COLONEL  LSRAEL  AN  CELL.  5 

it  Major  Blodget  came  to  Camp  to  day  from 
the  westward  but  brought  nothing  new  1  sent 
off  my  marque  and  went  and  took  quarters  with 
Col.  Livingston  '  and  Major  Huntingdon  ■  at 
night  we  mustered  all  the  teams  we  had  and 
proceeded  to  the  lower  works  in  order  to  git 
off  all  the  Cannon  and  morter  as  a  Retreat  was 
Determined  upon. 

August  26.  Clear  and  Exceeding  hott 
about  Eleven  o'clock  there  was  a  AUarm  it  be- 
ing Reported  that  the  Enemy  was  a  Coming  out 
but  proved  falls  and  we  rested  in  peace  this  day. 

'  Livingston,  Henry  Beeltman  (N.Y.),  Captain  4th  New  York, 
28th  June,  1775.  By  the  act  of  12th  December,  1775,  it  was  "  Re- 
solved, that  this  Congress  will  make  a  present  of  a  sword  of  the 
value  of  $100  to  Captain  Henry  B.  Livingston,  as  a  testimony  of 
his  services  (at  Chambly,  S.C.)  to  this  country,  and  that  they  will 
embrace  the  first  opportunity  of  promoting  him  in  the  army." 
Major  3d  New  York,  December,  1775,  to  rank  from  2d  August, 
1775;  Aide-de-Camp  to  General  Schuyler,  February  to  November, 
1776;  Colonel  4th  New  York,  21st  November  1776;  resigned  13th 
January,  1779.     (Died  5th  November,  1831.) 

*  Ebenezer  Huntington  (Conn.),  served  in  the  Lexington  alarm, 
April,  1775  ;  1st  Lieutenant  2d  Connecticut,  Sth  September  to  loth 
December,  1775;  ist  Lieutenant  22d  Connecticut  Lifantiy,  1st  Jan- 
uary, 1776;  Captain,  May,  1776;  Brigade-Major  to  General  Heath, 
August,  1776;  Major  of  Webb's  Additional  Continental  Regiment, 
1st  January,  1777;  Lieutenant-Colonel,  loth  October,  1778;  trans- 
ferred to  3d  Connecticut,  Ist  January,  1781;  transferred  to  1st  Con- 
necticut, 1st  January,  1783;  retained  in  Swift's  Connecticut  Regi- 
ment, June,  1783,  and  served  to  3d  November,  17S3;  Brigadier 
General  United  States  Army,  19th  July,  1798.  Honorably  dis- 
charged, 15th  June,  1800.  (Died  17th  June,  1834.)  (Hcilman's 
"Officers  of  the  Continental  Army.") 


6  THE  DIARY  OF 

27th  August,  1778.  Cloudy  and  rained 
a  little  this  morning  but  Soon  broke  away  and 
was  hott  we  met  with  som  misfortune  last 
Evening.  I  had  one  Ensign  and  14  men 
taken  prisoners  by  the  British  troops  as  they 
was  a  Setting  their  sentries  the  Ensign  was 
John  Viol.'  Genl.  Varnum "  formed  an  ex- 
pedition against  a  picquet  which  lay  near  our 
right  wing,  which  proved  unfortunate  being 
drove  off  with  the  Loss  of  one  Lt  and  3  pri- 
vates I  was  the  officer  of  the  Day  to  day. 
three  large  Ships  arrived  in  the  harbor  about 

'  Mrs,  Williams,  in  her  "  Biography  of  Revolutionary  Heroes," 
Providence,  1 839,  page  93,  gives  another  version  of  Vial's  capture, 
in  which  she  relates,  "  He  fought  at  the  battle  of  Rhode  Island  in 
Sullivan's  expedition,  and  was  left  on  the  island  by  mistake. 

"Being  on  picket  guard,  they  forgot  to  notify  him  at  the  retreat, 
and  he  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  British,  and  was  kept  for  a  time 
in  one  of  the  prison  ships  lying  in  the  harbor  of  Newport." 

These  details  are  inconsequential,  yet  perhaps  the  diarist's  ac- 
count is  more  worthy  of  belief. 

^  James  Mitchell  Varnum  (R.I.),  Colonel  Rhode  Island  Regi- 
ment, 3d  May  to  December,  1775;  Colonel  9th Continental  Infantry, 
ist  January  to  31st  December,  1776;  Colonel  1st  Rhode  Island,  1st 
January,  1777;  Brigadier-General  Continental  Army,  27th  February, 
1777;  resigned  5th  March,  1779.  Was  also  Major-General  Rhode 
Island  Militia.  (Died  loth  January,  1789.)  (Heitman's  "  Officers  of 
the  Continental  Army.")  Also  Colonel  of  the  Kentish  Guards,  1 774. 
See  Greene's  "  History  of  East  Greenwich,"  pages  179  to  185;  also 
same  169-176  for  biographical  sketch. 

See  also  Cowell's  "  Spirit  of  '76  in  Rhode  Island,"  page  256.  A 
poor  portrait  of  Varnum  in  Stone's  "  French  Allies,"  page  84. 
Updike's  "  Memoirs  of  the  Rhode  Island  Bar.  Boston,  Thos.  H. 
Webb  &  Co.,  1842."     Page  145. 


t 


(^ 


COLONEL  ISRAEL   AN  CELL.  J 

two  o'clock  Suppos'd  to  be  from  New  York 
1  din'd  with  Col.  Greene  '  thro'  day  and  spent 
the  Greatest  part  of  the  afternoon  in  Visiting 
the  Guard. 

August  28th,  1778.  A  Clear  Morning 
and  very  Cool.  Several  Accidents  happened 
during  the  night  past,  in  the  first  place  we  was 
ordered  to  strike  our  tents  and  march  of  bv 
Eight  o'clock  in  the  Evening  to  the  North 
End  of  the  Island,  and  the  Order  of  March 
given  out.      but  the  order  was  Countermanded 

'  Christopher  Greene  was  the  son  of  Judge  Philip  Greene  and 
EHzabeth  Wickes  Greene,  and  was  cousin  to  Gen.  Nathanael  Greene. 
He  served  as  Major  in  Arnold's  expedition  against  Quebec  in  1775, 
and  was  made  a  prisoner. 

During  the  period  of  captivity  he  was,  upon  recommendation 
of  General  Washington,  appointed  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  the  First 
Rhode  Island  Continental  Regiment. 

His  military  services,  as  compiled  by  Ileitman,  are  as  follows: 
Greene,  Christopher  (R. I.),  Major  of  \'arnum's  Rhode  Island  Regi- 
ment, 3d  May,  1775;  Lieutenant-Colonel;  taken  prisoner  at 
Quebec,  31st  December,  1775;  Colonel  1st  Rhode  Island,  27th 
February,  1777,  to  rank  from  ist  January,  1777. 

By  the  Act  of  4th  November,  1777,  it  was  "  Resolved  that  Con- 
gress have  a  high  sense  of  the  merit  of  Colonel  Greene  and  the 
officers  and  men  under  his  command,  in  their  late  gallant  defence 
of  the  fort  at  Red  Bank,  on  the  Deleware  river,  and  that  an  ele- 
gant sword  be  provided  by  the  Board  of  War  and  presented  to 
Colonel  Greene." 

He  was  killed  14th  May,  1781,  by  Delancey's  Tories  in  West- 
chester County,  N.V.  For  a  particular  account  of  the  battle  of  Red 
Hank  and  illustratic^n  of  his  magnanimity  on  this  occasion  see 
"Christopher  Greene,  Hero  of  Red  Bank,"  by  Mary  A.  Greene  in 
the  "American  Monthly  Magazine,"  Vol.  II.,  No.  5,  page  521. 


8  THE  DIARY  OF 

and  we  were  ordered  to  tarry  on  the  Ground 
till  further  orders  last  evening  I  had  one  man 
kill'd  by  our  own  people  a  Sentrie  on  the 
right  of  one  of  the  picquets  discovering  one 
of  the  Sentries  on  the  left  of  the  other  picquet 
which  formed  the  line  of  Sentries  and  chaling- 
ing  him  he  either  did  not  hear  or  refused  to 
Answer  and  the  other  Sentrie  fired  on  him 
Shott  him  through  his  knee  and  he  Expired 
very  Soon  there  was  a  Considerable  of  firing 
between   the  sentries. 

August  29th,  1778.  A  Clear  morning 
and  Very  Cool  the  (  )  Reed  orders  last 

evening  to  Strike  their  tents  and  march  to  the 
north  end  of  the  island,  the  advanced  piquet  was 
to  come  off  at  i  2  oclock  the  enemy  finding  that 
we  had  left  our  ground  pursued  with  all  possible 
speed  Come  up  with  our  piquet  about  sunrise 
and  a  smart  firing  begun,  the  piquet  repulsed 
the  Brittish  troops  2  or  3  times  but  was  finily 
obliged  to  retreat  as  the  Enemy  brought  a 
number  of  field  pieces  against  them  the  Enemy 
was  soon  check't  by  our  Cannon  in  coming  up 
to  our  main  bodv  and  they  formed  on  Quaker 
Hill   and  we  took  possession  of  Buttses  Hill  ' 

'  Quaker  Hill  and  Butts  Hill  are  two  hills  in  Portsmouth,  R.I. 
They  were  both  strategic  points  in  the  battle.  For  view  of  fort  on 
Butts  Hill  see  my  "  Revolutionary  Defences  in  Rhode  Island," 
opp.  page  140. 


COLONEL  LSRAEL  ANGELL.  g 

the  left  wing  of  the  brittish  army  was  Compossed 
of  the  hessians  who  Attackt  our  right  wing  and 
a  Sevear  engagement  Ensued  in  which  the  hes- 
sians was  put  to  flight  and  beat  of  the  ground 
with  a  Considerable  loss  our  loss  was  not  very 
great  but  I  cannot  assertain  the  number.  I 
was  ordered  with  mv  Regt  to  a  Redoubt 
on  a  Small  hill  which  the  Enemy  was  a 
trying  for  and  it  was  with  Difiiculty  that  we  got 
there  before  the  Enemy.  I  had  3  or  4  men 
kill'd  and  wounded  to  day  at  night  I  was  or- 
dered with  my  Reg  to  lie  on  the  lines  I  had  not 
Slept  then  in  two  nights  more  than  two  or 
three  hours  the  Reg'  had  eat  nothing  during  the 
whole  Day  this  was  our  sittuation  to  goe  on 
guard,  but  we  marched  ofi^  Chearfully  and  took 
our  post. 

August  30th.  A  Cloudy  morning  and  the 
wind  verv  high  it  rained  a  Considerable  in  the 
night  the  Enemy  Remained  on  their  Ground 
this  morning  two  English  friggats  Came  up 
yesterday  to  prevent  our  retreat  but  could  do 
but  little  they  Still  Remained  here.  I  was  Re- 
lieved this  morning  and  got  Some  provisions 
and  being  much  worn  ou"  for  the  want  ot  sleep 
went  to  a  hous  and  took  a  good  knap  there  was 
a  Cannonade  kept  up  to  day  and  Some  small 
arms  from  the  Sentries  at  night  we  Reed  orders 


lO  THE   DIARY   OF 

to  Retreat  off  the  Island  which  we  did  without 
the  loss  of  anything,  this  Retreat  was  in  Conse- 
quence of  an  Express  from  Genl  Washington 
informing  Gen  Sullivan  '  that  the  Brittish  Ships 
of  war  and  transports  had  sailed  from  New 
York   Some  days   before. 

August  31st,  1778.  Our  retreat  off  the 
Island  was  completed  by  three  o'clock  this 
morning  it  is  Supos'd  that  the  Enemy  at- 
tempted a  Retreat  last  Evening  but  after  find- 
ing that  we  Had  Retreated  they  Returned  to 
their  ground  as  it  was  late  in  the  morning 
before  they  took  possession  of  the  torts  we 
left  one  accident  happened  yesterday  was  for- 
got to  be  mentioned  in  that  days  journal  L' 
Arnold'  of  the  artillery  was  killed  accidentally 
as  he  had  fired  his  Piece  Stept  off  to  see  where 
the  Shot  Struck  and  Steping  before  the  mussel 
of  another  Gun  as  the  officer  gave  the  word 
fire  the  ball  went  through  his  body  blo'd  him 
too   peaces   his   Body   hung  togeather  by   only 

'  See  "  General  Sullivan  —  a  Vindication  of  his  Character  as  a 
Soldier  and  a  Patriot,"  by  Thomas  C.  Amory,  Esq.,  of  Boston. 
■'  Hist.  Magazine,"  1866,  Vol.  X.,  Supplement  No.  VI. 

"The  Military  Services  and  Public  Life  of  Major  General  John 
Sullivan,"  by  Thomas  C.  Amory,  Boston,  Mass.,  1868. 

"  Biographical  Sketch  in  General  Sullivan's  Indian  Expedition, 
1779,"  Camden,  N.Y.,  1887. 

-  Heilman's  "  Officers  of  the  Continental  Army  "  mentions  Noyes 
Arnold  (Mass.),  1st  Lieutenant  3d  Continental  Artillery,  ist  Febru- 
ary, 1777.     Died  23  August,  1778. 


COLONEL   ISRAEL   AXGELL..  \\ 

the  Skin  of  his  bellv,  one  Arm  was  blown  Clear 
off  After  we  had  Crost  at  howlands  ferry  we 
Encampt  about  a  mile  from  Sd.  ferrv  where  we 
tarried  this  day  at  Night  Rec'd  orders  to  Strike 
our  tents  next  morning  and  Embark  on  board 
our  Boats  and  Land  near  Warren  as  GenI 
Varnums  Brigade  was  to  be  stationed  Between 
warren  and  Bristol.  Genl  Cornells  '  at  How- 
lands  ferry  Genl  Glovers  "  at  Providence  Col. 
Com'^^  Green  at  Warwick  and  Greenwich. 

September  1st,  1778.  We  embarked 
on  board  our  Boats  this  morning  at  Seven 
oclock  Agreeable  to  Last  Evenings  Orders 
and  landed  about  ten  o'clock  at  Kickamuit 
bridg  •'  near  warren  where  we  lav  waiting  tor 
orders  untill  4  oclock  P.M.  then  marched  to 
warren  and  pitched  our  tents  and  tarried  that 
night  this  Day  was  Cloudy  and  Rained  a  little. 

September  2d,  1778.     A  Cloudy  Cold 

'  Ezekiel  Cornell  was  a  native  of  Scituate,  R.I.  In  1775  he  was 
Lieutenant-Colonel  of  Hitchcock's  Regiment  in  the  Army  of  Obser- 
vation. He  subsequently  was  elected  Brigadier-General,  and  was 
actively  engaged  in  the  military  affairs  of  the  State  up  to  May,  1780, 
when  his  brigade  was  mustered  out  of  service.  He  was  subse- 
<^|uently  elected  to  Congress  and  served  with  the  same  honor  in  civil 
affairs  as  had  characterizecl  his  conduct  in  the  military  affairs  of  his 
native  State. 

'^  Gen.  John  Glover,  of  Massachusetts.  He  remained  at  Provi- 
dence until  July  7,  1779. 

'Kickamuit  River  lies  to  the  east  of  Warren  and  ISrislol.  Kicka- 
muit Bridge  crossed  the  river  within  Warren  limits. 


12  THE  DIARY   OF 

morning  it  rain'd  very  hard  part  of  the  Night 
past  we  Rec'd  orders  last  Evening  to  march 
this  morning  at  7  oclock  but  our  waggons  not 
Gumming  up  prevented  our  marching  untill 
the  Afternoon  then  we  Struck  our  tents  and 
marched  off  to  Bristol  there  Encampt  on  Brad- 
fords  hill. 

Sept.  3d.  A  very  Cold  morning  for  the 
Season  Col  Olney  '  was  much  unwell  with  the 
ague  in  his  face  I  sent  a  Boat  to  providence 
to  day  for  Cloathing  and  at  night  I  took  com- 
mand of  the  piquet  Nothing  Extroardinary 
happen'd  Except  my  writing  this  days  journal 
in  the  manner  I  have  jumping  from  one  thing 

September  4th,  1778.  An  Exceeding 
Cold  morning  but  Clear  Col  Olney  set  off  tor 
Providence  soon  after  breakfast  as  he  was  Ex- 
ceeding much  unwell  with  ague  in  his  face  But 
nothing  of  consequence  happen'd  Dureing  the 
day. 

'  Jeremiah  Olney  (R.I.)>  Captain  of  Hitchcock's  Rhode  Island 
Regiment,  3d  ISIay  to  December,  1775;  Captain  iith  Continental 
Infantry,  1st  January  to  31st  December,  1776;  Lieutenant-Colonel  2d 
Rhode  Island,  13th  January,  1777;  transferred  to  i;t  Rhode  Island, 
1st  January,  1781;  Lieutenant-Colonel  Commandant,  14th  May, 
1781;  served  to  close  of  war.  (Died  loth  November,  1812.)  The 
1st  Rhode  Island  Regiment,  after  May,  1781,  was  also  known  as 
Olney's  Rhode  Island  Battalion.  (Heitman's  "  Officers  of  the 
Continental  Army.")  For  biographical  and  historical  sketch  and 
silhouette  see  "Olney  Genealogy,"  page  32;  Stone's  "  French 
Allies,"  pages  448,  449. 


COLOXEL   ISRAEL   ANGELL.  13 

Do  5th,  1778.  A  cool  morning  Q^  Master 
Carpenter  Came  into  Camp  last  Evening  with 
Some  Cloathino-  tor  \\\\  Reo-'  and  this  morning 
it  was  delt  out  to  them,  he  allso  brought  4 
Chists  of  Arms  tor  my  Reg.  which  we  delt  out» 
to  the  troops  and  Returned  in  our  old  ones 
there  was  a  flag  went  trom  providence  to  Rhode 
Island  to  dav  and  another  from  our  Encamp- 
ment went  in  by  the  way  of  Bristol  ferry." 
there  was  Several  Cannon  fired  to  day  but  what 
fired  at  is  not  known. 

September  6th,  1778.  Clear  and  hot 
this  morning  there  was  a  firing  of  Cannon 
heard  the  night  past  and  this  morninp;  there 
Came   an    Express  trom    beadford "    informing 

'  A  ferry  formerly  connected  the  mainland  to  the  south  of  Bristol 
and  the  island  of  Rhode  Island.  The  island  end  is  now  called  Bris- 
tol ferry. 

*The  attack  on  New  Bedford  was  made  on  the  evening  of 
September  5,  1778,  and  before  twelve  o'clock  the  next  day  the 
British  had  destroyed  "  about  seventy  sail  of  vessels,  many  of  them 
prizes  taken  by  American  privateers  and  several  small  craft; 
l)iiined  the  magazine,  wharves,  stores,  warehouses,  vessels  on  the 
stocks,  all  the  buildings  at  McPherson's  wharf,  the  principal  part  of 
the  houses  at  the  head  of  the  river,  and  the  mills  and  houses  at 
Fairhaven  opposite." 

This  expedition  against  New  Bedford  was  instigated  by  Sir  Henry 
Clinton,  and  was  carried  out  by  General  Grey,  who  landed  with  a 
sufficient  force  upon  Clark's  Neck  at  the  mouth  of  the  river. 

After  completing  the  depredations  at  New  Bedford  the  mimuders 
turned  their  attention  to  Martha's  Vineyard,  where  they  intlictcd 
Some  damage  anrl  obtained  large  quantities  (jf  provisions  f.r  tiie 
army  and  fleet. 


14 


THE   DTARY  OF 


US  that  the  brittish  troops  had  landed  and  burnt 
beadtbrd  I  dind  with  the  Marquis  de  La 
ffiat  and  while  we  was  at  the  table  there  Came 
another  Express  with  four  Deserters  from  bead- 
iford  informing  us  that  all  the  houses  and 
Stores  and  Shipping  were  Destroyed  at  Bead- 
ford  and  that  the  troops  were  all  Embarked  on 
board  of  their  Ships  while  I  was  at  the  Mar- 
quises my  brother  Jason '  Came  to  me  and 
brought  the  agreeable  news  that  my  family  and 
friends  were  all  well  he  set  off  for  home  in 
the   Evening. 

Sept.  7th,  1778.  fine  pleasant  weather 
this  morning  I  sent  all  my  spare  guns  to  the 
Store  at  providence  in  a  boat  by  water  allso 
sent  a  Serj'  and  a  file  of  men  to  pawtuxet  and 
Cranston  after  some  Deserters  who  Deserted 
from  me  at  the  westward  wrote  Several  letters 
which  took  up  the  forenoon  I  din'd  with  Gen 
Varnum  and  in  the  afternoon  went  on  Duty 
taking  the  Command  of  the  piquet  at  night  we 
Reed  orders  to  Move  Boats  enough  round 
into  warren  river  to  move  the  Brigade  over  at 
once  this  order  Come  from  Genl  Sullivan  and 
by  the  time  we  had  got  the  men  paraded  the 
order  was  Countermanded. 

'Jason  Angell,  born  Oct.  7,  1748;  married  Caroline  Jenckes, 
daughter  of  Dr.  John;  their  children  were  Oliver,  Jenckes,  Naomi, 
and  Tason. 


COLOXEL   ISRAEL  AX  CELL.  1 5 

Sept.  8th,  1778.  Clear  hot  and  Dry 
weather.  A  number  of  Cannon  was  heard  to 
day  and  last  night  at  a  great  distance  to  the 
Eastward  but  no  intelligence  where  Col. 
Greene  Came  here  to  day  from  Greenwich  but 
brought  no  news,  neither  was  there  any  thing 
Extraordinary  happend  during  the  Day  L^ 
Dexter  of  my  Reg.  was  Tri'd  to  day  tor  dis- 
obediance  of  orders. 

Sept.  9th,  1778.  A  thick  Cloudy  Morn- 
ing Q''  Master  Carpenter  went  for  providence 
this  morning  to  procure  some  Cloathing  for 
my  Reg^  it  begun  to  rain  about  noon  and  was 
an  Exceeding  Rainv  afternoon  and  Rained 
great  part  of  the  night  but  Cleared  off  before 
Day  and  was  pleasant  I  din'd  yesterday  at  Genl 
Varnums. 

Sept.  10th,  1778.  A  Clear  and  pleasant 
morning  the  Boat  returned  from  Providence 
early  in  the  morning  but  got  but  few  of  the 
Articals  sent  for.  I  took  the  Command  of  the 
Picket  this  Evening  4  or  5  of  mv  men  who 
was  taken  prisoners  on  Rhodeisland  Returned 
this  evening  and  Brought  word  that  they  were 
all  Exchanged  and  the  remainder  were  at  Prov- 
idence and  Ensign  Viol  was  with  them. 

Sept.  11th.  A  Clear  and  pleasant  Morn- 
ing but  nothing  Remarkable  happened  the  fore- 


1 6  THE  DIARY  OF 

noon  I  sent  Benjamin  King '  who  had  been 
a  prisoner  to  my  hous  in  Johnston  and  to 
major  Fenners  on  business  in  the  afternoon  the 
brigade  turned  out  and  marched  to  Bristol 
town  and  manouvered  on  the  Common  by  the 
Meeting  hous  one  of  my  Regt  and  one  of  Col 
Sherburnes  Reg  was  flog'd  this  Evening. 

Sept.  12th,  1778.  A  Coald  raw  morning 
Cap  Hughes  Came "  to  Camp  last  Evening  and 

'  Benjamin  King,  Corporal  in  Major  Thayer's  Company  of 
Angell's  Regiment. 

^Tliomas  Hughes  (as  the  name  is  invariably  spelled  in  the  Family 
Bible),  only  son  of  Joseph  and  Mary  Hughes,  was  born  May  3, 
1 752.  The  place  of  his  birth  is  not  now  known,  but  family  tradition 
states  the  family  was  of  Scotch-Irish  descent.  In  the  Rhode  Island 
Colonial  Records  (Vol.  X.,  pp.  412  and  413)  he  is  mentioned  as  of 
Freetown,  Mass.  There  is  some  evidence  to  show  that  his  father 
may  have  been  Dr.  Joseph  Hughes  (or  Hewes),  who  removed  from 
Attleborough,  Mass.,  to  Providence  shortly  before  the  Revolution. 
Thomas  Hughes'  name  first  appears  upon  the  public  records  in 
October,  1776,  as  Second  Lieutenant  of  Col.  Israel  Angell's  Battal- 
ion (Rhode  Island  Colonial  Records,  Vol.  VIII.,  p.  11),  and  he  was 
among  the  officers  recommended  by  General  Washington  to  the 
Rhode  Island  General  Assembly  for  the  new  establishment  of  the 
Continental  Army,  in  the  same  month  and  year.  (Rhode  Island 
Colonial  Records,  Vol.  VIII.,  p.  36.)  He  was  chosen,  in  February, 
1777,  to  be  First  Lieutenant,  and  at  sometime  between  August  and 
October,  1777,  was  raised  to  the  rank  of  Captain.  He  served  with 
Colonel  Angell's  Regiment  throughout  the  war.  In  1791  the  Rhode 
Island  General  Assembly  appointed  Col.  Jeremiah  Olney  and  Capt. 
Thomas  Hughes  agents  for  the  Proprietors  of  the  Anaquacut  Farm 
in  Tiverton,  which  was  set  off  to  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  late 
Continental  Battalion,  commanded  by  Colonel  Angell.  These  agents 
successfully  petitioned  the  General  Assembly  to  make  up  a  con- 
siderable deficiency  demanded  of  them  by  the  purchasers  to  whom 


COLOXEL  ISRAEL   AX  CELL.  ly 

lodged  with  me  the  night  past.  We  all  turned 
out  this  morning  at   Revele  Beating  agreeable 

they  sold  the  land,  and  a  resurvey  was  consequently  ordered. 
Rhode  Island  Colonial  Records,  Vol.  X.,  pp.  412,  413,  and  437.) 

Captain  Hughes  married  Feb.  27,  1782,  Welthian  (born  Nov. 
19,  1757,  died  1844),  eldest  child  of  Col.  Christopher  and  Anne 
(Lippitt)  Greene,  of  Centreville,  Warwick,  R.I. 

The  children  of  Thomas  and  Welthian  Hughes  were: 

1.  Mary,  born  Jan.  4,  1783;  married  Burrows  Aborn  and  had 
eight  children,  all  of  whom  died  unmarried. 

2.  Christopher  Greene,  born  July  9,  1785;  died  at  New  Orleans, 
La.,  July  22,  1815.     (A  sea  captain.) 

3.  Phebe,  born  Sept.  i,  1787;  married  her  mother's  own  cousin, 
Jeremiah,  son  of  (Judge)  William  and  Welthian  (Lippitt)  Greene, 
of  Occupasnetuxet,  Warwick,  R.I.  Her  issue  are  the  only  living 
descendants  of  Thomas  Hughes. 

4.  Katy,  born  Aug.  16,  1789;    died  in  infancy. 

5.  Sally,  born  Dec.  15,  1790;  died  unmarried. 

6.  Elizabeth,  born  Feb.  2,  1792;  died  in  infancy. 

7.  John  Luther,  born  Nov.  2,  1795;  died  Jan.  14,  1863. 

John  Luther  Hughes  was  a  prominent  merchant  and  manufact- 
urer in  Rhode  Island,  and  as  a  member  of  the  Common  Council  of 
the  city  of  Providence  was  actively  instrumental  in  devising,  fram- 
ing, and  establishing  the  present  public-school  system  of  the  city. 
He  was  the  first  Secretary  of  the  Rhode  Island  Mutual  Fire  Insur- 
ance Company.  His  residence,  at  the  corner  of  Washington  and 
Greene  streets,  has  recently  been  demolished  in  order  to  place  the 
new  Public  Library  upon  its  site,  a  fate  most  certain  to  have  been 
pleasing  to  one  of  his  refined  literary  taste  and  public  spirit.  He 
married  Eliza  Whiting,  and  had  several  children,  all  of  whom  died 
young. 

Thomas  Hughes  served  throughout  the  War  of  181 2  with  the 
rank  of  Major.  He  died  Dec.  10,  1821,  at  his  home  at  Centreville, 
R.I.,  in  the  northwestern  part  of  the  town  of  Warwick,  and  was 
buried  in  the  family  burying-ground  on  the  farm  of  his  brother-in- 
law,  Col.  Job  Greene,  near  by. 

In  April,  1896,  this  burying-ground  was  abandoned  and  the  bodies 
removed  to  Greenwood  Cemetery,  Phenix,  K.I.,  including  the  re- 


1 8  THE  DIARY   OF 

to  Gen  Orders  M'  Consider  Luther  '  came  to 
Camp  this  day  a  little  past  Noon  and  brought 
me  word  from  my  family  that  they  was  all  well 
the  Evening  before  and  Saw  old  M'  Richard 
Waterman  ^  at  my  hous  Who  informed  him 
that  their  family  was  well  M'  Luther  Din'd  at 
my  Marquee  then  went  home  nothing  Extraor- 
dinary happened  during  the  day. 

Sept.  13th,  1778.  A  Cloudy  Cold  raw 
morning  with  the  wind  at  Northeast  but  soon 
broake  away  and  was  a  pleasant  Day  the  Bri- 

mains  of  Major  Hughes,  his  wife,  and  maiden  daughter,  Sally.  A 
marker  of  the  Sons  of  the  American  Revolution  has  been  placed  at 
his  grave,  his  being  among  the  first  fifty  names  drawn  by  lot  by  the 
Rhode  Island  Society  of  the  Sons  of  the  American  Revolution  for 
the  purpose  of  marking  the  graves. 

Thomas  Hughes  was  a  small,  wiry  man,  with  reddish  hair  and 
blue  eyes,  of  great  energy  and  considerable  executive  ability.  No 
living  descendant  is  left  to  bear  the  name  of  Hughes,  three  grand- 
children and  six  great-grandchildren  of  his  daughter  Phebe  being 
all  that  remain  of  the  family. 

(Contributed  by  Miss  Mary  A.  Greene,  one  of  the  great-grand- 
children of  Phebe  Hughes  Greene.) 

Hughes,  Thomas  (R.I.),  2d  Lieutenant  lith  Continental  In- 
fantry, 1st  January  to  31st  December,  1776;  1st  Lieutenant  2d 
Rhode  Island,  1st  January,  1777;  Captain,  23d  June,  1777;  trans- 
ferred to  1st  Rhode  Island,  1st  January,  1781,  and  served  to  close 
of  war.     (Heitman's  "Officers  of  the  Continental  Army.") 

'  Consider  Luther  was  a  near  neighbor;  he  died  in  1814. 

2  Probably  Richard  Waterman,  Jr.,  a  great-grandson  of  the 
first  Waterman  and  son  of  Esquire  Richard  and  Abigail  (Angell) 
Waterman,  of  Providence.  He  was  born  June  I,  1 701,  and  lived 
in  Cranston;  the  date  of  his  death  is  not  known,  but  in  1763  he 
was  serving  his  fifth  term  as  a  member  of  the  Town  Council  of 
Cranston. 


COLONEL  LSRAEL  ANGELL.  19 

gade  marched  to  bristol  town  to  the  Meating 
hous'  to  attend  Divine  Servis  when  M"" 
Thompson  "  Chaplin  to  the  Brigade  preached 
a  sermon  to  the  same,  in  the  afternoon  there 
was  a  funeral  near  the  Camp  at  the  hous  where 

'  Probably  the  Congregational  Meeting-house,  the  Baptist  Meet- 
ing-house having  been  destroyed  by  the  British  May  25,  1778. 
For  more  than  thirty  years  this  church  was  under  the  pastorate  of 
the  Rev.  John  Burt.  At  the  time  of  the  British  attack  on  Bristol, 
Oct.  7,  1775,  Parson  Burt,  with  others  of  the  inhabitants,  fled  from 
the  town;  on  the  following  morning  he  was  found  "  lying  dead  upon 
his  face  in  the  midst  of  a  field  of  ripened  corn." 

^  Rev.  Charles  Thompson,  the  valedictorian  of  the  first  graduating 
class  of  Rhode  Island  College  (now  Brown  University),  and  of  which 
class  General  Varnum  was  a  member,  was  ordained  to  the  pastoral 
charge  of  the  Baptist  Church  at  Warren,  July  3,  1771.  He  was  born 
at  Amwell,  N.J.,  April  14,  1 748,  and  was  thus  at  the  time  of  taking  the 
pastorate  twenty-three  years  of  age.  His  ministry  was  eminently 
successful  and  the  church  increased  in  membership  until  the  break- 
ing-out of  the  war,  when  its  effect  was  sorely  felt.  He  was  appointed 
a  Chaplain  in  the  Continental  Army,  which  position  he  held  until  the 
year  1778,  when,  being  at  his  home  on  the  occasion  of  the  British 
attack  on  Warren,  he  was  captured  and  taken  a  prisoner  to  New- 
port, where  he  was  confined  for  about  a  month  and  then  released, 
but  for  what  reason  he  never  knew.  ("  A  Discourse  deUvered  at  the 
Dedication  of  the  New  Church  Edifice  of  the  Baptist  Church  and 
Society,  Warren,  by  Rev.  Josiah  P.  Tustin,  p.  129.")  Charles  Thomp- 
son, A.M. ;  ordained  Baptist  clergyman,  1771;  preacher,  Warren, 
R.I.,  1770-71;  pastor,  1771-75;  Chaplain  Continental  Army,  1775- 
78;  preacher,  Ashford,  Conn.,  1778-79;  pastor,  Swansea,  Mass., 
1 779-1 802;  resident,  Charlton,  Mass.,  1802-03;  trustee  Brown  Uni- 
versity, 1 795-1803.  Born  Amwell,  N.J. ,  April  14,  1748;  died  Charl- 
ton, Mass.,  May  4,  1803.  (Historical  Catalogue,  Brown  University, 
1764-1894,  p.  27.)  "  Among  the  prisoners  (taken  at  Warren)  were 
the  Rev.  Mr. Thompson,  of  Warren;  Major  Martindale,  Mr.  Edward 
Church,andanumberof  young  men  belonging  to  this  town."  (Fleet 
S.  Greene's  Diary,  in  "  Historical  Magazine,"  Vol.  IV.,  p.  70.) 


20  THE   DIARY   OF 

G^n  Varnum  Quartered  it  was  an  Antient 
Woman  mother  of  Capt  Bradford  '  who  owned 
the  land  we  were  Encampt  on 

Sept.  1 4th.  A  clear  morning  and  noth- 
ing Extraordinary  happened  during  the  Day  at 
night  I  was  the  officer  of  the  picquet  and  had 
a  plesant  time  to  Visit  the  Guards  Col,  Ol- 
ney's  boy  Come  into  Camp  to  day  the  Col  set 
off  but  meeting  Col  Sherburne  ^  &  Maj  Hunt- 
ington turned  back  as  I  had  sent  a  boat  for 
Cloathing. 

Sept.  15th.  A  Clear  Cool  and  plesant 
morning  and  Nothing  Extraordinary  happened 
During  the  day.  I  spent  part  of  the  Afternoon 
on  poposquash  ^  in  the  Evening  L'  Col  Olney 
Come  into  Camp  from  Providence  and  brought 

'  Mrs.  Priscilla  Bradford  died  Sept.  12,  1778,  at  the  age  of 
eighty-five  years. 

^  Henry  Sherburne  was  appointed  Major  of  the  first  battalion 
of  infantry  raised  in  October,  1776,  agreeable  to  an  Act  of  Congress. 
Soon  after  he  was  recommended  by  General  Washington  to  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  of  Rhode  Island  for  a  commission  as  Major  for  the 
new  establishment.  In  May,  1777,  he  was  Colonel  of  one  of  the 
sixteen  battalions  raised  by  order  of  Congress,  Dec.  27,  1776. 
These  regiments  or  battalions  were  known  by  the  name  of  their 
respective  colonels. 

*  This  name,  Poppasquash,  like  all  Indian  names,  has  been 
spelled  in  many  ways.  In  various  books  and  deeds  we  find  Pop- 
pasquash, Pappasquash,  Pappossesquaw,  Pappasqua,  and  Poppy- 
Squash.  The  weight  of  autliority  seems  to  be  in  favor  of  the  first 
form.  Respecting  its  derivation,  no  satisfactory  information  can  be 
given.     (Note  in  Munro's  "  History  of  Bristol,"  p.  66.) 


COLOXEL   ISRAEL   ANGELL.  21 

news  that  it  was  Supos'd  that  the  Enemy  was 
a  coming  this  way  and  that  three  Brigades  of 
our  troops  was  on  their  wav   here. 

Sept.  16th.  A  pleasant  morning  O'' 
Master  Whittlesey  '  Returned  from  Providence 
this  morning  with  30  Blankets  for  the  Regt 
and  a  quantity  of  Shoes  and  Stockins  and 
westcots  which  we  Imeditly  Delt  out  to  the 
troops  there  was  one  Chist  of  Arms  Come 
which  supplied  Each  man  in  the  Reg  with  a 
good  fire  lock  we  Rec'd  orders  this  day  to 
march  from  the  Ground  we  were  now  En- 
camped upon  and  Encamp  about  one  mile  and 
a  half  above  warren  ^  but  it  being  late  in  the 
day  before  the  Ground  Could  be  Laid  out  we 
Rec"^  after  orders  to  remain  in  our  present  En- 
campment. 

Sept.  17th.  It  begun  to  Storm  last  Even- 
ing and  has  bin  an  Exceeding  Stormy  Night 
with  the  wind  at  Northeast  and  this  morning 
the  Storm  rather  seemed  to  increase  the  wind 
rising  and  raining  Exceeding  hard   and    Con- 

'  Nathan  Whittlesey,  Q.M.S.  in  Capt.  William  Tew's  Com- 
pany, 1779. 

*Onc  regiment  was  encamped  upon  the  lield  immediately  south 
of  the  rocks,  upon  the  summit  of  Windmill  or  Graves  Ilill,  where 
are  still  to  be  seen  the  levelled  and  graded  places  where  their  tents 
were  pitched.  The  following  winter  the  troops  stationed  in  War- 
ren were  quartered  in  stores  upon  the  wharves  and  in  private  dwell- 
ings.    (Fessenden's  "  History  of  Warren,"  1845,  p  98.) 


22  THE  DIARY  OF 

tinued  Stormey  all  the  Day  Which  prevented 
our  marching  to  the  Ground  alotted  for  us  by 
yesterdays  orders  I  din'd  with  Gen.  Varnum 
and  Spent  Great  part  of  the  afternoon  with  the 
General. 

Sept.  18th.  A  clear  morning  but  Soon 
Clowded  over  we  Struck  our  tent  about  7  or  8 
o'clock  in  the  morning  and  marched  off  it  Soon 
thickened  up  and  rained  a  little  we  marched 
through  Warren  about  one  mile  to  the  ground 
we  entended  to  Camp  upon  and  it  set  in  to 
raining  very  hard  but  we  Soon  had  all  our  tents 
pitched  this  proved  to  be  the  Clearing  up 
Shower  for  it  soon  cleared  off  and  was  fine 
weather  during  the  afternoon, 

5ept.  19th,  1778.  A  Clear  morning  and 
very  pleasant  I  was  much  unwell  this  morning 
being  taking  last  evening  with  Cold  Agurey  fits 
pain  in  my  head      I  kept  in  Camp  this  day. 

Sept.  20th.  A  Clear  pleasant  warm  morn- 
ing I  was  Some  better  this  morning  thin  I  was 
yesterday  and  after  breakfast  sent  a  billet  to  the 
Gen'  to  know  if  he  would  let  me  go  home  for 
a  day  or  two  which  he  granted  and  after  Dining 
set  off  taking  Doctor  Cornelius  '  and  my  boy 

'  Elias  Cornelius  (R.I.)i  Surgeon's  Mate  2d  Rhode  Island,  ist 
January,  1777;  taken  prisoner  at  Staten  Island,  22d  August,  1777; 
escaped  from  prison  ship  in  March,  177S;  rejoined  his  regiment  and 
served  to  ist  January,  1781.  (Died  13th  June  1823.)  (Heitman's 
"Officers  of  the  Continental  Army.") 


COLONEL   ISRAEL  AN  CELL.  23 

with  me  and  ariv'd  at  my  own  hous  before  Sun- 
set and  found  my  family  all  well. 

21st  Sept.  A  fine  plesant  morning  Ben- 
jamin Luther  '  Came  to  my  house  very  early 
this  morning  for  the  Doctor  to  come  and  see 
his  child  which  was  very  sick  the  Doctor  went 
and  returned  by  a  little  after  sunrise  and  got  his 
breakfast  then  went  on  for  Providence  from 
thence  to  Camp  where  he  had  Engaged  to  be 
by  ten  o'clock  in  the  forenoon  my  Riding  hurt 
me  I  was  not  so  well  as  I  was  yesterday  Benja- 
min Luthers  child  was  thought  to  be  a  dying 
about  twelve  o'clock  the  neighbours  was  Calld 
in.  my  wife  and  myselfe  went  over  but  the 
Child  had  fits  and  lived  the  day  out,  in  the 
Evening  I  sent  my  hors  and  boy  to  Doctor 
Slacks"  to  git  him  to  Come  and  see  M*"  Luthers 
Child. 

Sept.  22d.  A  warm  morning  and  Some 
foggy  about  half  past  4  oclock  Mrs  Usher  ^ 
Come  and  called  up  me  and  my  wife  to  go  over 
to  Benjamin  Luthers  for  their  child  was  a  dying 
we  went  as  soon  as  possible  but  the  Child  was 

'  He  was  a  son  of  Consider  Luther. 

*  Dr.  Benjamin  Slack  came  from  Massachusetts  about  1750,  and 
was  a  physician  of  considerable  note  in  the  towns  in  nurthcrn 
Rhode  Island.  He  commanded  the  Captain  Ceneral's  Cavaliers 
during  the  Revolution. 

•'.Mrs.  Freelove  Usher,  daughter  of  Consider  Luther. 


24  THE   DL4RY   OF 

dead  before  v/e  got  there  I  went  home  and  tar- 
ried there  the  forenoon  after  dinner  went  to 
Landlord  Fisks  '  from  thence  to  Mr  Luther 
then  home  I  saw  Doctor  Fisk^  at  the  Land- 
lords who  informed  me  that  Byrans  fleet  had 
arrived  part  in  Newport  he  himself  was  there. 

Sept.  23d,  1788.  A  Cloudy  morning  and 
Rained  some  in  the  forenoon  but  the  Storm 
begun  to  increase  about  noon  I  and  my  wife 
went  to  burying  at  Benjamin  Luthers  and  ime- 
adetly  after  we  got  there  it  set  in  to  raining  very 
hard  and  Stormed  all  the  afternoon  and  after 
Buring  was  over  we  returned  home  and  Elder 
Samuel  Windsor  Com  to  my  hous  and  tarried 
all  Night  he  and  Elder  Hopkins  both  Spoke 
at  the  funeral. 

'  Joseph  Fisk,  son  of  Joseph,  kept  a  tavern  for  many  years  in 
the  town  of  Johnston,  on  the  Plainfield  Pike,  near  the  Scituate 
hne.  During  the  war  he  was  a  Corporal  in  the  Captain  General's 
Cavaliers,  a  military  company  made  up  of  men  mostly  belonging  to 
the  town  of  Johnston.  He  died  June  i8,  1793.  An  inventory  of 
the  tavern  furnishings  is  in  Providence  Probate  Records  (Johnston), 
Vol.  I.,  p.  268. 

'^  Caleb  Fisk  was  a  prominent  physician  and  landholder  in  Cran- 
ston, R.I.  He  lived  on  the  Voluntown  road  near  Bald  Hill,  in 
Scituate,  in  a  house  still  standing.  He  was  the  son  of  John  and 
Elizabeth  Fisk,  and  was  born  Feb.  24,  1753.  He  was  President  of 
the  Rhode  Island  Medical  Society,  and  left  that  Society  a  bequest 
of  $2,000. 


COLOXEL   ISRAEL   AN  CELL.  25 


PART    TWO. 


THE  time  included  in  the  second  part  of 
the  diarv  is  from  December  12,  1778,  to 
February  11,  1779,  and  details  the  happenings 
during  the  severe  winter  while  the  regiment 
was  encamped  at   Warren,  Rhode    Island. 

December  12th,  1778.     A  Clear  Cold 

morning  after  breakfast  I  sett  of  for  the  Camp 
at  Warren  Stopt  Some  time  in  Providence. 
Arrived  in  Warren  in  the  Evening  and  tound  all 
well  N.B.  Ingaged  to  take  the  paper  one  Q'.' 

Decern.  13th,  1778.  A  Cold  Stormy 
morning  and  Continued  Storming  all  the  day 
but  Nothing  Remarkable  happened  During 
the   Day. 

14th.  it  wet  a  little  this  morning  but  Soon 
Cleared  off  and  was  Cold  nothing  Remarkable 
happened   this   Day. 

15th.  Clear  and  Very  Cold  there  was  one 
Circumstance  I  forgot  to  mention  in  yester- 
days Journal   That  is  Birans    Fleet  Sail'd   that 

'  Probably  "The  rrovidence  Gazette  and  Country  Journal." 


26  THE   DIARY   OF 

day  from  Rhode  Island  '  Lt  Col  Olney  & 
Major  Simeon  Thayer^  Sett  off  this  afternoon 
for  Providence,  attended  a  general  Court  Mar- 
tial of  the  Line.  The  Gen'  Gave  orders  yes- 
terday for  a  number  of  men  to  be  furloughed 
to  day  which  kept  me  employed  part  of  the 
day  in  writing  furloughs  thus  Ended  the  day 

16th  Dec.  1778.  A  fine  and  pleas- 
ant Day  A  garrison  Court  Martial  Set  this 
day  for  the  trial  of  two  villains  for  attempt- 
ing to   Commit  a   Rape  upon   a   ould  woman 

'"On  the  sixth  of  January,  1779,  Admiral  Byron's  fleet,  which 
had  been  so  long  expected,  arrived  at  St.  Lucie,  just  eight  days  after 
the  departure  of  Count  d'Estaing;  and  had  it  not  been  detained  in  the 
harbour  of  Newport  at  Rhode  Island  by  contrary  winds  and  stormy 
weather  for  fourteen  days  after  it  was  ready  to  sail,  it  is  probable, 
either  that  the  retreat  of  the  Count  d'Estaing  to  Martinique  would 
have  been  cut  off,  or  that  a  general  engagement  must  have  l^een 
risked  in  order  to  effect  it."  (Stedman's  "  History  of  the  American 
War"  (Brit.),  Vol.  II.,  p.  91.) 

*  Thayer,  Simeon  (R.I.),  Captain-Lieutenant  of  Hitchcock's 
Rhode  Island  Regiment,  3d  May,  1775;  taken  prisoner  at  Quebec, 
31st  December,  1775;  exchanged,  1st  July,  1777;  Major  2d  Rhode 
Island,  to  rank  from  1st  January,  1777;  wounded  (lost  an  eye)  at 
Monmouth,  28th  June,  1778;  retired  ist  January,  17S1.  (Died 
14th  October,  1800.)  (Heitman's  "Officers  of  the  Continental 
Army.")  For  account  of  his  services  in  expedition  to  Quebec, 
where  he  was  captured,  also  a  roll  of  his  company,  see  Rhode 
Island  Historical  Society  Collection,  Vol.  VI.,  pp.  i,  102,  and 
Appendices,  where  his  death  is  stated  October  21.  See  also  Cow- 
ell's  "Spirit  of  '76  in  Rhode  Island,"  p.  283;  Providence  Town 
Papers  in  possession  of  the  city  of  Providence;  Military  Papers  in 
Rhode  Island  Historical  Society;  and  Revolutionary  Rolls  in  office 
Secretary  of  State,  Rhode  Island. 


COLONEL   LSRAEI.    AXGELL.  2/ 

near  tour  score  their  names  were  Perce  &  Pil- 
lars my  Sergt  Maj'  Proctor '  was  to  he  trid 
allso  for  forging  a  pass  in  my  name  the  Court 
mett  and  adjourned  untill  the  next  day  So  the 
day  ended  with  Nothing  remarkable. 

1 7th  Dec.  A  Clowdv  morning  and  Soon 
begun  to  Storm  and  was  an  Exceeding  Stormy 
Afternoon,  the  Court  finished  the  trials  of 
Richard  Perce  who  was  ordered  to  Receave  lOO 
Strips  John  Pillar  to  Receive  37.  John  Kx- 
ceen  "  20  but  he  was  forgiven  there  Come 
News  to  day  That  L'.  Chapin  with  Six  Men 
took  a  Brigg  From  Rhode  Island  laden  with 
Forrag  and  Some  Small  matter  of  Spirits,  the 
Brigg  was  about  one  hundred  and  thirty  or 
forty   tuns   burthen   and    13    hands    on   board. -^ 

Deer.  18th,  1778.  A  Clear  and  Pleas- 
ant morning  and  was  a  Remarkable  warm  day 
for  the  Season  Nothing  Remarkable  happened 

'  William  Proctor.  See  Cowell's  "  Spirit  of  '76  in  Rhode  Island," 
p.  lyi;    also  Revolutionary  Rolls  in  office  Secretary  of  State. 

-  John  Exceen,  private  in  Capt.  William  Tew's  Company  of  Col. 
Israel  Angell's  Regiment. 

•"This  was  the  exploit  of  Lieut.  .Seth  Chapin,  of  Col.  Henry 
Sherburne's  Regiment,  in  capturing  in  Rhode  Island  waters  a  Brilish 
brig  bound  to  New  York.  The  expedition,  consisting  of  Lieutenant 
Chapin  and  six  men,  embarked  in  a  whale-boat  from  Little  Compton, 
and  by  a  bold  stroke,  without  the  loss  of  a  life,  took  in  the  east  pas- 
sage the  vessel  and  all  her  crew,  including  a  lady  passenger,  the 
«ife  of  Sir  Guy  Johnston.  The  whole  party  was  safely  landed  at 
.Seaconnet. 


2  8  THE  DIARY   OF 

at  Roll  Call  those  prisoners  under  Sentance  of 
punishment '  reed  it  Agreeable  to  the  Sentence 
of  the  Court  Except  the  last  who  I  pardoned. 

Deer.    19th.      A  fine  pleasant  [  ] 

as  ever  was  known  at  the  Season  of  the  year 
and  nothing  materal  happened  I  dind  with 
Genl  Varnum's  Lady  ^  there  was  a  Small  Dis- 
pute happened  between  Lt  Thomas  Water- 
man ■^  of  my   Reg'  and   a    L'   in   Col    Webbs'^ 

'  The  general  form  of  punishment  in  the  army  was  with  the  lash, 
although  in  some  cases  offenders  were  hung  and  others  shot.  In 
chastising  a  culprit  he  was  first  stripped  to  the  waist  and  then 
securely  tied  to  a  tree  or  post,  then  the  chastiser  stepped  forward 
and  with  a  whip,  formed  of  several  small  knotted  cords,  applied  the 
prescribed  number  of  lashes.  "  It  was  always  the  duty  of  the 
drummers  and  fifers  to  inflict  the  chastisement,"  and  the  drum-major 
was  required  to  attend  and  see  that  the  duty  was  faithfully  per- 
formed.    (Thatcher's  "  Military  Journal,"  page  i86.) 

^  Gen.  James  M.  Varnum  married  Martha  Chilils,  the  eldest 
daughter  of  Cromwell  Childs,  of  Warren,  R.I.  .She  died  at  Bristol, 
Oct.  lo,  1837,  at  the  age  of  eighty- eight  years.  They  were  married 
by  the  Rev.  James  Manning,  Feb.  8,  1770. 

^Thomas  Waterman  (R.I.),  Ensign  2d  Rhode  Island,  1st  Jan- 
uary, 1777;  2d  Lieutenant,  llth  February,  1777;  Regimental  Adju- 
tant, loth  August,  1777;  dismissed  ist  May,  17S0.  (Heitman's 
"  Officers  of  the  Continental  Army.")  A  list  of  officers  and  privates 
in  Colonel  Angell's  Regiment  who  have  died  or  been  honorably 
discharged  contains  the  name  Thomas  Waterman,  lieutenant. 
(See  Cowell's  "  Spirit  of  '76  in  Rhode  Island,"  p.  195.)  He  was  a 
son  of  Lieut.  John  Waterman,  Quartermaster  of  (general  Varnum's 
Brigade,  who  died  at  Valley  Forge,  1778;  his  grave  is  the  only 
marked  grave  now  remaining  in  that  historic  locality ;  a  commission 
has  been  appointed  by  the  General  Assembly  cf  Rhode  Island,  and 
an  appropriation  made,  to  erect  a  monument  at  the  spot. 

■•Samuel  Blatchey  Webb  (Conn.),  Ist  Lieutenant  2d  Connecti- 
cut, 1st  May,  1775;  wounded  at  Bunker  Hill,  17th  June,  1775;  Major 


COLONEL   ISRAEL   ANGELL.  29 

Regt  concerning  Rank  on  which  Lt  waterman 
was  ordered  to  Consider  himself  under  an  arrist 
by  Capt  Williams  '  of  s**  Regt.  but  they  con- 
cluded to  leave  the  matter  to  me  and  Maj 
Huntingdon. 

20th    Dec.      A   fine  pleasant   morning  and 

and  Aide-de-Camp  to  General  Putnam,  22d  July,  1775;  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  and  Aide-de-Camp  to  General  Washington,  21st  June,  1776; 
wounded  at  Trenton,  2d  January,  1777;  Colonel  of  one  of  the  six- 
teen additional  Continental  regiments,  lith  January,  1777;  taken 
prisoner  on  the  expedition  to  Long  Island,  loth  December,  1777, 
and  was  a  prisoner  of  war  on  parole  until  exchanged,  December, 
1780;  transferred  to  3d  Connecticut,  1st  January,  1781;  Brevet 
Brigadier-General,  30th  September,  1783,  and  served  to  13th  Novem- 
ber, 1783.  (Died  3d  December,  181 7.)  (Heitman's  "Officers  of 
the  Continental  Army.")  If  he  was  not  in  service  during  the  time 
covered  by  this  journal  the  regiment  still  bore  his  name. 

The  sixteen  additional  Continental  regiments  were  raised  by 
the  resolve  of  Congress,  Dec.  27,  1776,  and  were  known  by  the 
name  of  their  respective  colonels.  Webb's  Regiment,  which  was 
at  this  time  a  part  of  Varnum's  Brigade,  had  the  following  field 
officers : 

Col.  Samuel  B.  Webb,  1st  January,  1777,  to  1st  January,  I781; 
Lieut.-Col.  William  S.  Livingston,  1st  January,  1777,  to  loth  October, 
1778;  Lieut.-Col.  Ebenezer  Huntington,  loth  October,  1778,  to  ist 
January,  1781;  Major  Ebenezer  Huntington,  1st  January,  1777,  to 
loth  October,  1778;  Major  John  P.  Wyllys,  loth  October,  1778, 
to  1st  January,  1 781.  This  regiment  was  transferred  to  the  Conti- 
nental line  Jan.  i,  1781,  and  was  known  as  the  Third  Connecticut 
Regiment. 

'  .^ainuel  W.  Williams  (Conn.),  2d  Lieutenant  6th  Connecticut, 
1st  May  to  iSlh  December,  1775;  1st  Lieutenant  of  Webb's  addi- 
tional Continental  Regiment,  1st  January,  1777;  Captain,  23d 
March,  1778;  transferred  to  3d  Connecticut,  1st  January,  17S1; 
retired  ist  January,  1783.  (Heitman's  "Officers  of  the  Continental 
Army.") 


30  THE   DIARY   OF 

very  warm  bat  soon  Clouded  over  and  con- 
tinued the  greatest  part  of  the  day  after  break- 
fast I  rode  to  Bristol  with  Gen  Varnum  after 
looking  round  and  Viewing  a  Ship  of  war  which 
had  come  up  against  the  upper  End  of  the 
Island  Supposd  to  have  come  to  releave  one 
of  the  Enemys  Ships  that  had  Lain  there  some 
time  but  she  had  not  gone  they  lay  both  to- 
geather  I  arrived  at  my  own  Qiiarters  by  one 
oclock  &  Dined  with  Capt  Stephen  Olney ' 
nothing  Remarkable  happened  further  this  day. 
Deer.  21,  1778.  A  very  fine  day  and 
nothing  Remarkable  happened  Gen  Varnum 
went  for  Providence  in  the   morning  we  Got 

'  Stephen  Olney  (R.I.),  Ensign  of  Hitchcock's  Rhode  Island 
Regiment,  3d  May  to  December,  1775;  ist  Lieutenant  nth  Conti- 
nental Infantry,  ist  January  to  31st  December,  1776;  1st  Lieutenant 
2d  Rhode  Island,  ist  January,  1777;  Captain,  nth  February,  I777; 
wounded,  at  Springfield,  23d  June,  1780;  retained  in  Consolidated 
or  1st  Rhode  Island  Regiment,  ist  January,  17S1;  wounded  at 
Yorktown,  14th  October,  1781;  resigned  1st  May,  1782.  (Died 
23d  November,  1832.)  (Heitman's  "Officers  of  the  Continental 
Army.")  Also  Ensign  in  John  Angell's  Company,  Army  of  Obser- 
vation, 1775.  See  also  "  Lives  of  Barton  and  Olney,"  by  Catherine 
Williams;  Cowell's  "  Spirit  of  '76  in  Rhode  Island,"  pp.  236,  237 ; 
Stone's  "  French  Allies,"  pp.  440-444,  where  is  also  a  muster  roll  of 
his  company  at  Yorktown,  p.  445,  and  a  portrait,  p.  440;  biographi- 
cal and  genealogical  sketch  and  portrait  in  Olney  Genealogy,  p. 
42.  His  grave  is  in  the  old  family  graveyard  on  the  farm  where 
he  died  in  North  Providence,  and  is  marked  by  a  handsome  slate 
stone  on  which  is  inscribed  at  length  his  service  during  the  war. 
An  iron  marker  of  the  Sons  of  the  American  Revolution  was 
placed  upon  his  grave  in  September,   1895,  ^X  ^^  editor. 


COLONEL   ISRAEL   ANGELI^.  3  I 

one  guard  hous  finished  to  day  At  night  it 
Clowded  over  and  in  the  Evening  begun  to 
rain. 

22d  Dec,  1778.  A  Cold  and  uncomfort- 
able Morning  it  cleared  of  in  the  night  with 
Snow  about  over  Shoe  it  Continued  an  Exceed- 
ing Cold  day  and  Nothing  remarkable  hap- 
pened Gen'  Sullivan  Sent  an  order  '  for  all  the 
Musicians  to  attend  at  Providence  as  the  Band 
belong'd  to  Col.  Webbs  Regt.  Major  Hun- 
tington put  himself  in  a  most  violent  passion 
on  the  mater  Swore  the  order  was  a  dam'd  ras- 
cally one  if  the  Gen',  did  give  it. 

23d  Dec.     it  still   Continues  Extreme  Cold 

'  General  Order,  22  December,  1778.  .  .  .  "The  Musicians 
of  General  Varnum's  and  Colonel  Jackson's  Bands  to  repair  innnedi- 
ately  to  Head  Quarters  with  their  Instruments,  Blankets  and  neces- 
sary Baggage  for  Tarrying  one  Week. 

"The  Commanding  Officers  of  General  Varnum's  Brigade,  and 
of  Colonel  Jackson's  Detachment  will  send  with  them  the  best 
Drum  and  Fife  from  each  Band.  General  Glover's  Brigade  to  fur- 
nish two  good  Drums,  and  Fifes. 

"The  Barrack  Master  immeaditly  to  furnish  a  good  convenient 
Room  for  those  Musicianers. 

"  Major  Flagg  will  attend  them  at  such  Times  as  he  may  think 
proper;    and  instruct  them  in  Musick. 

"The  Commissary  will  supply  them  with  Provisions,  and  One 
Jill  of  West  India  Rum  per  Day  and  more  when  he  may  find  it 
Necessary. 

"The  Quarter  Master  will  immeadiately  furnish  the  necessary 
cooking  Utentials  for  the  Bands. 

"The  Adjutant  General  to  forward  Copies  of  these  Orders  to 
Warren,  anil  Pawluxet  immeadiately." 


3^ 


THE  DIARY   OF 


I  Sent  a  boat  to  Updikes  new  town  '   today  for 
to  get  200  pair  of  Shoes. 

24th   Deer.,    1778.       This    morning    was 
Extreme  Cold  the  river  in  Warren  was  all  froze 
over   I   sent  to  the  barracks  as  soon  as  it  was 
light  to  inform  them   that  they  need  not  turn 
out,  as  I  was  sure  that  they  must  freeze   I    had 
orders  from   the  Genl  to  send  a  boat  to  Provi- 
dence   but    the    river     being     froze    over    was 
obliged  to  send  a  waggon  won  fortunate  circum- 
stance   happen'd  a   Gentleman  from    beadford 
Come  to  Camp  and  brought  288  pair  of  shoes 
Which   I   bought  for  my  Reg'  at    25   shillings 
p""  Pair,  which  Amounted  to  i  200   Dollars  So 
ended  the   Day  as   Sevear  as  it  begun  on  cir- 
cumstance  I    forgot   to   mention    that   is    Two 
of  Col"   Livingstons   men    froze  to  death   two 
nights  past  on   Prudence  Island  they  got  lost 
a  coming  from   Providence  in  a  boat   bound  to 
Bristol   in  a  Snow  Storm  there  was  Six  in  the 
Boat  two  perished  the  others  survived. 

December  25th,  1 778.   An  extreme  Cold 

Day  I  dind  with  Parson  Thompson  the  day 
Ended  with  nothing  Remarkable  Capt  Tew ' 
and  lady  arrived  in  Garrison. 

'  The  present  village  of  Wickford,  in  North  Kingstown. 

"^  William  Tew  (R.I),  Captain  lith  Continental  Infantry,  ist 
January  to  31st  December,  1776;  Captain  2d  Rhode  Island,  1st 
January,  1777;  retired  ist  January,  1781.     (Heitman's  "  Officers  of 


COLONEL   LSRAEL   AN  CELL.  ^ 

26th  Dec,  1778.  A  most  tremendous 
Stormy  morning  with  dry  Snow  and  a  Violent 
high  wind  from  the  N.  E.  which  continued  the 
whole  day  and  if  I  Ever  saw  one  Storm 
worse  than  another  this  was  the  worst  it  being 
Extream  Cold,  never  known  Colder.' 

27th  Deer.  Sevear  and  Cold  but  the 
Storm  had  Ceast  in  the  night  and  it  cleared  away 
to  day  the  Soldiers  barracks  many  of  them 
were  almost  blown  full  of  snow  the  Day  Ended 
with    nothing    Remarkable    Except    [  ] 

was  Drifted   so  there  was   no  stiring. 

28th  Dec,  1778.      A  fine  clear  morning 

the  Continental  Army.")  Captain  Tew  was  a  son  of  James  and 
Anne  (Arnold)  Tew,  of  Newport,  R.I.,  and  was  born  April  5,  1745. 
He  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  Jonathan  Wilson,  and  died  Oct.  31, 
1808.  At  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  a  member  of  the  Legisla- 
ture of  Rhode  Island,  President  of  the  Newport  Town  Council,  and 
a  member  of  the  "  Society  of  the  Cincinnati."  He  followed  the 
business  of  a  clothier  in  Newport. 

'  This  was  the  storm  known  then  and  since  as  the  "  Hessian 
snow-storm,"  during  which  a  great  many  German  and  British  sol- 
diers were  frozen  to  death ;  the  date  of  its  occurrence  is  given  as 
December  12  and  22,  but  from  this  journal  it  appears  that  this 
extreme  weather  continued  until  the  28th. 

"  Dec.  28  (1778),  upwards  of  fifty  people  are  said  to  have  per- 
isher],  chiefly  soldiers,  in  a  very  heavy  snow-storm  which  begun  on 
the  25th,  in  the  evening,  and  continued  to  morning ;  among  which, 
one  Hessian  captain,  two  of  the  Anspach  soldiers,  and  others." 
(Diary  of  Heet  S.  Greene,  Newport,  in  "  Historical  Magazine,"  i860, 
p.  136,  Vol.  IV.)  Abial  Weaver,  a  private  in  Captain  William  Tew's 
Company,  was  badly  frozen  while  on  sentry  duty  and  was  an  invalid 
thereafter. 


34  THE   DIARY   OF 

but  very  Cold  Col  Olney  arrived  in  Camp 
about  ten  o'clock  after  freezing  his  feet  some 
he  left  Providence  yesterday  about  9  oclock 
and  had  likd  to  have  perished  in  crossing  the 
ferry  '  Maj  Thayer  arrived  a  little  after  Sunset. 

29th  Dec.  A  Pleasant  day  and  nothing 
Remarkable  happened. 

30th  Dec.  Pleasant  this  day  being  a  day 
Set  a  part  for  thanks  Giving '  I  and  Major 
Thayer  went  out  into  the  Country  to  Capt 
Ebenezer  Pecks  ^  in  Rehoboth  there  Din'd 
and  returnd  to  Camp  in  the  Evening. 

31st  Dec,  \11^.  A  fine  day  and  nothing 
Remarkable  happened  I  was  president  of  a 
Court    martial. 

'  The  lower  ferry,  or  the  ferry  at  Tockwotten,  as  it  was  more 
generally  known,  was  the  most  in  use  at  this  time;  it  was  operated 
by  Caleb  Fuller,  and  was  sometimes  called  Fuller's  Ferry.  For 
sometime  previous  to  1777  it  was  closed  to  the  public,  for  the 
small-pox  was  raging  in  the  town  and  one  of  the  hospitals  was 
located  near  the  ferry.  But  at  this  period  it  was  in  operation,  and 
had  been  for  some  time.     (See  Providence  Town  Papers,  1205,  1207, 

1353,  15059)- 

2  "  In  1778  Congress  appointed  both  a  spring  fast,  April  22, 
and  an  autumn  Thanksgiving,  December  30."  This  day  (Decem- 
ber 30)  was  observed,  also,  as  a  day  of  thanksgiving  by  the 
authorities  in  the  States  of  Massachusetts,  New  Hampshire,  Rhode 
Island,  Connecticut,  and  Vermont.  (See  "  P'ast  and  Thanksgiving 
Days  of  New  England,"  pp.  344  and  504.) 

3  Ebenezer  Peck,  "  a  man  of  public  influence  and  distinction," 
then  living  in  the  northeasterly  part  of  Rehoboth,  near  Great 
Meadow  Hill,  on  a  branch  of  the  Palmer  River.  He  had  a  son, 
Ebenezer,  who  died  in  the  army.      (Peck  Genealogy,  p.  49.) 


COLONEL   LSRAEL  ANGELL.  35 

January  1st,  1778  [1779].  fine  weather 
still  continues  the  Court  martial  met  to  day  at 
9  oclock  agreeable  to  adjournment  &  Proceeded 
to  business  this  day  we  received  the  Melen- 
cully  news  of  a  great  number  of  Semen  a  per- 
ishing in  the  late  Storm  on  the  Eastern  shore 
one  privateer  from  this  place  was  lost  one  man 
and  his  team  of  five  cattle  all  perished  on  Boston 
Neck  '  and  three  French  gentlemen  who  had 
been  out  into  Roxbury  and  returning  to  boston 

2d  January,  1779.  A  fine  plesant  day 
the  Court  Martial  finished  their  business  and 
adjourned  without  time. 

3d  January.  A  Clowdy  day  my  Regt 
was  mustered  to  day  at  Eight  oclock  in  the 
morning  Nothing  Remarkable  happened  it 
rained  a  little  in  the  afternoon 

4th  January.  A  Clowdy  raw  day  in  my 
journal  of  the  first  day  of  this  month  is  men- 
tion'd  the  news  of  a  mellencully  affair  happen- 
ing to  the  Eastward  in  the  late  Storm  Since 
which  we  have  got  the  Porticulars  of  what  Suf- 
fered  on    board    the    General   Stark  '  Priveteer 

'  This  does  not  refer  to  Boston  Neck  in  southern  Rhode  Island, 
but  at  Boston,  for  under  the  date  Dec.  28,  1778,  General  Heath,  in 
his  Memoirs,  writes :  "  A  waggoner,  his  horse  and  four  oxen  were 
found  frozen  to  death  near  the  dyke,  on  Boston  Neck  ;  they  perished 
in  the  severe  cold  storm  on  the  preceding  Saturday  evening." 

'^  In  a  statement  of  the  shipping  lost  during  the  war,  up  to  Jan.  i, 
1 783,  belonging  to  the  inhaljitants  of  Warren,  is  mentioned  "Sloop 


36  THE   DIARY   OF 

and  the  priveteer  Called  Gen'  Arnold  '  the 
first  mentioned  vessel  lost  19  men  the  last  73 
who  all  froze  to  death  I  furnished  my  Regt  to 
day  with  their  new  hatts  all  bound  and  they 
made  a  grand  appearance  on  the  Parade  being 
as  well  cloathed  as  any  troops  in  the  Servis. 

5th  January,  1779.  A  Clowdy  Cold 
morning  after  breakfast  Lt  Col  Olney  went  of 
for  Tiverton  being  warned  there  for  Court 
Martial  but  nothing  remarkable  happened  dur- 
ing the  Day. 

6th  Jany.  Tolerable  good  weather  for 
winter  Maj.  Thayer  went  for  Providence  to  day 
and  about  8  o'clock  in  the  evening  Lt  Col 
Olney  Returned  having  finished  the  Business 
he  went  upon 

7th  Janry.  This  day  the  proceedings 
of  the   Court   Martial  ^  where   I  was   president 

General  Stark  (privateer)  Pearce  120  tons."  (See  "History  of 
Warren,"  Fessenden,  Supplement,  p.  loi.)  This  vessel,  in  1778, 
was  the  property  of  Nathan  Miller  and  others  (see  Rhode  Islanil 
Colonial  Records,  Vol.  VI II.,  p.  434). 

'  The  privateer  "  General  Arnold  "  drove  on  shore  near  Plymouth, 
and  bilged;  eighty  of  the  crew  perished ;  the  survivors  were  much 
frost  bitten.     (Heath's  Memoirs,  p.  200.) 

-General  Orders  Providence  5th  Janry,  1779.  .  .  .  "At 
a  Brigade  Court  Martial  held  at  Warren  by  order  of  Brigadier- 
General  Varnum,  of  which  Colonel  Angell  was  President.  Ensign 
Hamlin,  of  Colonel  Samuel  B,  Webb's  Regiment,  Try'd  for  neglect 
of  Duty,  and  absenting  himself  from  the  Garrison,  without  leave  : 
Found  Guilty,  and  sentenced  to   l)e  discharged  the  service.     The 


COLONEL   LSRAEL   AN  CELL.  7,7 

was  made    known  as    the    Gen'    had    approv'd 

General  approves  the  sentence  and  orders  it  to  take  place  immeadi- 
ately. 

"  Ensign  Frothingham,  Try'd  by  the  same  Court,  for  absenting 
himself  from  the  Garrison,  without  leave :  Found  Guilty,  and  sen- 
tenceil  to  be  discharged  the  Army.  The  General  approves  the 
sentence:  but  upon  the  recommendation  of  the  Court,  restores  him 
to  his  former  Rank. 

•'  Lieutenant  Price  of  Colonel  Elliotts  Regiment  Try'd  by  the 
same  Court,  for  absenting  himself  from  the  Garrison  three  Days 
without  leave,  and  for  associateing  with  the  Waggon  Master,  and 
Forage  IMaster  of  the  Brigade  :  Found  Guilty,  and  sentenced  to  be 
discharged  the  service.  The  General  approves  the  sentence,  and 
orders  it  to  take  place  immeadiately. 

"  Captain  Loiseaux,  and  Lieutenant  West  of  Colonel  Living- 
stone's Regiment,  Try'd  by  the  same  Court  for  behaving  unbecoming 
the  carracter  of  Gentlemen  in  fighting  before  the  Soldiers,  and  for 
being  Drunk:  Captain  Loiseaux  found  Guilty  by  the  Court,  and  sen- 
tenced to  be  discharged  the  service.  The  General  approves  the 
sentence,  and  orders  it  to  take  place  immeadiately.  Lieutenant  West 
is  found  not  Guilty.    The  General  orders  him  releas'd  from  his  arrest. 

"  Captain  David  Dexter  of  Colonel  Angell's  Regiment  Try'd 
by  the  same  Court,  for  leaving  his  Post  on  the  25"^  of  De- 
cember 1778,  and  not  returning  'till  the  29"^  for  behaving  unbe- 
coming the  Carracter  of  an  Officer,  and  a  Gentleman,  in  frequently 
associateing,  with  the  Waggon  Master  of  the  Brigade :  Found 
guilty  by  the  Court,  and  sentenced  to  be  discharged  the  service. 

"  The  General  approves  the  sentence,  and  orders  it  to  take 
place  immeadiately. 

"The  Court  Martial  in  consideration  of  Captain  Dexter's  long 
Services,  and  sufferings  in  the  American  cause,  and  the  sense  they 
have,  of  his  bravery,  and  activity,  have  recommended  him,  to  be 
entitled,  to  the  same  priviledges,  as  those  who  are  left  out  in  the 
new  arrangement  of  the  Army.  The  commander  in  chief  is  sen- 
sibely  mortified  that  he  cannot  by  complying  with  the  recommenda- 
tion of  the  Court,  evince  the  regard  he  has  for  that  Officer's  former 
Services,  Activity,  and  Bravery.  The  sentence  bting  for  a  dismis- 
sion, and  the  recommendation,  not  fur  a  restitution  to  his  commard. 


38  THE  DIARY  OF 

the  Same  Capt  David  Dexter  '  was  Discharg'd 
the  Service,  Capt  Lorsoiux  "  of  Col  James 
Livingstons  Regt  was  allso  Dischd  Lt  Whillys 
of  the  same   Regt  Acquitted  Ensigns  Hamlin  ^ 

he  cannot  possibly  be  intitled  to  any  future  Advantages;  and  the 
declarealion  of  it  in  orders  would  be  deem'd  a  nullity,  and  could 
have  no  good  effect  in  his  favour. 

"  All  the  Field  Officers  in  Town  are  desired  to  Ije  at  Head  Quar- 
ters this  evening  at  Six  o'Clock." 

'  David  Dexter  (R.I.),  Ensign  of  Hitchcock's  Rhode  Island 
Regiment,  3d  May  to  December,  1775;  Captain  of  Babcock's 
Rhode  Island  Militia  Regiment,  15th  January,  1776;  appointed 
Brigade-Major,  9th  October,  1776;  Captain  2d  Rhode  Island,  nth 
February,  1777;  deranged  1st  April,  1779.  (Heitman's  "Officers 
of  the  Continental  Army.") 

*  From  General  Orders,  5th  December,  1778.  "At  a  General 
Court  Martial  of  which  Colonel  Angell  was  President :  was  tryed. 
Captain  Augustus  Loizcan,  for  Cutting  a  Tent,  of  Public  Property, 
and  making  Knapsacks  of  it ;  for  exchanging  bad  Firelocks  for 
good  ones  out  of  Public  Stores,  and  selling  them,  for  stealing 
Soldiers  Provision,  speaking  defamatory  of  the  Officers,  of  Colonel 
Livingstone's  Regiment;  and  for  threating  Lieutenant  Nichols's 
Life;  found  Guilty,  in  part,  and  Sentenced  to  be  dismis'd  the 
Service  :  But,  in  consideration  of  his  former  sufferings,  and  Services 
in  the  American  Cause,  his  Bravery,  and  former  good  Conduct, 
and  upon  the  recommendation  of  the  Court  Martial,  the  Com- 
mander in  Cheif,  Orders  him  to  be  releas'd  from  his  Arrest,  and 
Orders  him  to   return  to  his  Duty." 

Loisau,  Augustine  (N.Y.),  Captain  ist  Canadian  (Livingston's) 
Regiment,  i8th  December,  1776,  to  rank  from  20th  November, 
1775;  dismissed  5th  January,  1779;  name  also  spelled  Loizeau  and 
Loiseau.      (Heitman's  "Officers  of  the  Continental  Army.") 

^  Daniel  Hamlin  (Conn.),  Sergeant  of  Webb's  additional  Con- 
tinental Regiment,  24th  May,  1777;  Ensign,  l6th  May,  1778;  dis- 
missed January,  1779.  (Heitman's  "Officers  of  the  Continental 
Army.") 


COLONEL   LSRAEL   AN  CELL.  39 

and  Frothingham  '  both  of  Col  S  B  Webs 
Regt  Discharged  the  Servis  but  froathingham 
was  Restored  L^  Price  '  of  Col  Elliots  Reg'  of 
artillery  Discharged  in  the  Afternoon  I  set  off 
for  my  own  hous  where  I  arrived  just  in  the 
Evening 

8th  January,  1779.  Spent  the  Greatest 
part  of  the  Day  at  home  went  and  spent  a  few 
hours  with  Major  Richard  Fenner  '  Returned 
and  in  the  Evening  Ointed  for  the  Itch  which 
I  had  bin  so  unfortinate  as  to  catch  but  where 
was  unknown  to  me  thus  Ended  the  Day  with 
the  Devil  of  a  Stink 

9th  Janry.  Clowdy  raw  and  Cold  to  day 
and  Soon  begun  to  Storm  and  Snow'd  Exceed- 
ing fast  the  greatist  part  of  the  afternoon  at  night 

'  Ebenezer  Frothingham  (Conn.),  Sergeant  of  Webb's  Addi- 
tional Continental  Regiment,  25th  May,  1777;  Ensign,  i6th  May, 
1778;  Lieutenant,  26th  May,  1779;  Regimental  Quartermaster,  27th 
May,  1779,  to  June,  1783;  transferred  to  3d  Connecticut  ist  Janu- 
ary, 1781,  and  served  to  June,  1783;  Lieutenant  United  States  In- 
fantry Regiment,  15th  July,  1785;  Lieutenant  ist  Infantry,  United 
States  Army,  29th  September,  1789;  killed,  22d  Octolier,  1790,  in 
action  with  Indians  at  tlie  Miami  Towns,  near  Old  Chillicothe,  Ohio. 
(Heitman's  "  Officers  of  the  Continental  Army.") 

^  Edward  Price  was  2d  Lieutenant  in  Captain  Sayer's  Company, 
in  Col.  Robert  Elliot's  Regiment  of  Artillery.  (Rhode  Island  Colo- 
nial Records,  Vol.  VIII. ,  p.  355.) 

'  Richard  P'enner,  Jr.,  Major  of  the  first  regiment  of  militia  in  the 
county  of  Providence;  commissioned  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  same 
regiment  May,  1779.  (Rhode  Island  Colonial  Records,  Vol.  VIII., 
P-  533-536.) 


40  THE  DIARY  OF 

turned  to  rain  I  spent  the  day  in  the  Neighbour- 
hood. 

10th  Janry.  A  Rainy  morning  and  Con- 
tinued thawing  weather  all  the  day  I  was  not 
out  of  the  Neighbourhood  this  day  Nothing 
Remarkable  happened  this  Day. 

1 1th  Jany  1779.  it  Cleard  off  last  night 
and  was  very  Cold  this  morning  &  Continued 
growing  Cold  all  the  day  I  was  to  have 
gone  to  Providence  to  day  but  a  number  of 
people  Comming  in  who  had  business  with  me 
prevented  mv  going  So  Spent  the  day  at  home. 

12th  Janry.  A  Clowdy  Raw  Cold  morn- 
ing but  much  warmer  than  it  was  the  fore  part 
of  the  Evening  past  After  I  got  my  Breakfast 
set  of  for  Providence  by  the  way  of  Wainscoot ' 
and  tarried  at  my  fathers  the  night  following 
Where  I  had  the  Pleasure  of  seeing  all  my 
Brothers  and  Sisters  ^  togeather  Except  my 
sister  Whipple-^ 

13th  Jany.  A  Tolirable  pleasant  morning 
for  winter  after  Breakfast  I  and  my  Brother 
Jason  Sett  of  for  Providence  where  I  spent  the 

'  Wanskuck,  near  Providence. 

^  Colonel  Angell  had  three  brothers  and  two  sisters:  Hope  An- 
gell,  Jason  Angell,  Elisha  Angell,  Ruth  Angell,  and  Naomi  Angell. 
(Angell  Genealogy,  p.  80.) 

^  Naomi  Angell  married  John  Whipple.  (Angell  Genealogy,  p. 
39) 


COLOXEL   ISRAEL   AX  CELL.  4 1 

day.  Capt  Allen  '  of  my  Reg',  was  here  and 
35  men  with  him  from  my  Reg'  there  was  a 
hundred  from  the  Brigade  a  going  on  Some 
privat  Expedition  Suppos'd  with  Talbut '  to 
Stick  Another  feather  in  his  Capp  I  heard  no 
news  of  Consequence  this  day,  at  night  I  Re- 
turned to  my  own  hous  by  9  o'clock  P.M. 

January  14th,  1779.  An  Exceeding 
Plesant  day  I  Spent  the  day  in  the  Neighbor- 
hood and  nothing  Remrkable  Happened  Isaac 
Angell  '^  Come  to  See  me  today  and  I  agreed 
with  him  to  finish  my  hous 

Janry.  15th.  An  Exceeding  Cold  and 
Clowdy  morning  with  Snow  as  it  had  Snow'd 
part  of  the   night  I   went  in   Serch    of  Some 

'  William  Allen  (R.I.).  ist  Lieutenant  i  ith  Continental  Infantry, 
ist  January  to  31st  December,  1776;  1st  Lieutenant  2d  Rhode  Island, 
1st  January,  1777;  Captain,  13th  January,  1777;  transferred  to  1st 
Rhode  Island,  ist  January,  1781  ;  Brevet  Major,  30th  September, 
1783;  served  to  3d  November,  1783.  (Heitman's  "Officers  of  the 
Continental  Army.") 

-  Col.  Silas  Talbot.  In  1775  he  was  Captain  in  a  company  of  the 
•Army  of  Observation;  October,  1777,  promoted  by  Congress  to  the 
rank  and  pay  of  Major  in  the  army,  for  "  merit  and  services  in  a  spirited 
attempt  to  set  fire  to  one  of  the  enemy's  ships-of-war  in  the  North 
River,  last  year."  Nov.  14,  1778,  recommended  for  a  commission 
as  Lieutenant-Colonel  in  the  army  for  bravery  and  good  conduct  "  in 
boarding  and  taking  the  armed  schooner  '  Pigot '  of  eight  twelve- 
pounders  and  forty-five  men  in  the  east  passage  between  the  island 
of  Rhode  Island  and  the  main."  This  exploit  was  performed  Oct. 
17,  1778. 

^  Isaac  Angell  was  the  son  of  Colonel  AngcH's  brother  Klisha, 
and  was  a  house  carpenter,  and  "  is  s.iid  to  have  been  a  very  good 
workman."     (Angell  Genealogy,  p.  S5.) 


42  THE   DIARY   OF 

Grain  to  day,  but  found  none  thus  Ended  the 
day  with  nothing  Remarkable 

January  16th,  1779.  This  Day  was 
Colder  than  it  had  been  for  Severall  days  be- 
fore, I  went  to  Providence  and  after  finishing  the 
business  I  went  upon  Returned  to  my  own  hous, 
it  was  reported  in  Providence  that  the  party 
that  was  a  going  on  the  privat  Expedition  was  a 
going  to  attack  a  Sixty  Gun  Ship  of  the  Enemys 

Jany.  17th.  Clear  and  Very  Cold  I  Spent 
the  day  at  my  own  hous  Capt  Wm  Arrow 
Smith '  who  lived  in  my  house  Come  from 
Boston  to  day  and  Brought  News  that  one  of 
our  friggats  had  Returned  to  that  port  having 
taken  Six  prizes  he  also  informs  that  m""  Andrews 
Clothier  General  of  Boston  Shot  himself  dead 
a  few  days  before  by  handling  a  pair  of  pistols 

*  The  Providence  town-meeting,  March  2i,  1777,  remitted  the 
tax  of  Edmund  Arro  Smith,  amounting  to  6s.  6d.  In  a  bill  of 
the  town-sergeant,  rendered  to  the  town,  there  is  the  item  under 
the  date  Dec.  26,  17S5  :  "To  taking  charge  of  the  things  &  Lock- 
ing up  the  house  of  Mr.  Edmund  A.  Smith,  -0-I-6."  Mr.  Smith 
probably  died  about  this  time,  for  Jan.  6,  17S6,  a  l^ill  is  ordered 
paid  by  the  town  of  Providence  for  "  Board  of  Mr.  Edmund  Arrow 
Smith's  family,  Mrs.  Smith  and  four  children,  two  weeks  3-0-0." 
Joseph  Smith,  a  son,  was  bound  apprentice  to  Ephraim  Clemence; 
Thomas  Smith  to  Daniel  Davenport.  Another  son,  Edmund  Smith, 
died  at  sea  on  board  the  brigantine  "  Polly,"  Zephaniah  Graves, 
master,  in  1799.  At  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  a  minor,  and  an 
apprentice  to  Ephraim  Clemence.  In  January,  1777,  Edmund 
Arrow  Smith  was  a  private  in  the  Independent  Company  of  Light 
Infantry  of  the  town  of  Providence.  The  similarity  of  names 
and  the  fact  that  no  other  reference  is  found  to  William  suggests 
that  the  diarist  might  have  been  in  error. 


COLONEL   LSRAEL   ANGELL.  43 

he  had  bought  and  one  of  them  went  of  acci- 
dentaly  and  the  Ball  went  through  his  head  & 
he  instantly   Expired. 

January  18th,  1779.  Cold  and  Raw 
I  was  much  unwell  this  morning  and  Spent  the 
day  at  home  Isaac  Angell  Come  to  work  tor 
me  to  day. 

Janry  19th.  Extreem  Cold  but  nothing 
Remarkable  happened. 

January  20th,  1779.  Clear  and  Cold 
after  Breakfast  I  and  Capt  Edmund  Arrow 
Smith  Set  off  for  Providence  by  the  way  of 
John  Waterman's  Esq""  and  Daniel  Thorntons 
I  went  to  major  Thayer's  there  fell  in  with 
Gen.    Varnum    Maj""    Thayer   and    Maj""   Box ' 

'  Daniel  Box  was  Brigade  Major  of  General  Varnum's  Brigade; 
his  left  arm  was  rendered  useless  by  a  fall  from  his  horse  in  De- 
cember, 1776,  when  the  army  was  quartered  at  Neshamany  Ferry, 
Penn.  In  a  list  of  invalids  resident  in  Rhode  Island,  receiving  a 
monthly  pension  for  disabilities  occasioned  by  the  war,  reported  to 
the  General  Assembly  of  Rhode  Island  in  February,  1786,  it  is 
stated  the  "  wound  so  fractured  the  arm  that  stveral  pieces  of  the 
bone  have  been  extracted,  and  the  wound  is  still  open  and  the  hand 
entirely  useless."  He  died  in  1801,  leaving  a  widow,  Mary  Box, 
called  also  Polly,  a  daughter  of  James  Field,  son  of  John,  4th,  of 
Providence,  and  great-great-grandson  of  the  fust  John  Field  of 
Providence.  The  town  of  Providence  frequently  appropriated  money 
for  his  support,  stimulated,  no  doubt,  by  the  following  quaint  appeals  : 

"  To  the  Honourable  the  Town  Council  of  Providence. 

"The  humble  Petition  of  Daniel  15ox  Showeth. 
"Gentlemen 

"On  the  22'"^  of  Feby.,  1786  I  was  admitted  on  the  list  of  Conti- 
nental Invalids,  by  a  Committee  appointed  l)y  the  General  Assem- 


44  THE   DIARY   OF 

and  L'  Carpenter,  after  Dining  went  on  for 
Warren  where  I  ariv'd  about  seven  o'Clock 
in  the  Evening  and^found  all  well  it  Continued 
Growing  Cold  all   this  day  and  by  night  was  as 

hly  for  that  purpose,  with  an  allowance  of  Ten  Dollars  per  Month 
and  aproved  of  by  the  General  Assembly  then  sitting  in  Providence. 
As  I  have  never  yet  received  anything,  there  is  due  me  on  that 
account  150  Dollars  to  the  22'"'.  of  May,  1787.  And  having  ob- 
served a  late  resolve  of  Assembly  requesting  the  town  Councils  in 
this  State  to  supply  their  Invalids  with  specific  articles,  and  pay- 
ment to  be  made  for  the  same  out  of  the  continental  Taxes,  but  not 
hearing  of  anything  in  this  Town  having  taken  place  inconsequence 
of  said  resolve,  I  am  induced  to  lay  my  distressed  circumstances 
before  you.  Praying  you  to  take  them  into  your  serious  considera- 
tion, and  if  possible  to  grant  me  some  reliefe. 

"  I  have  been  rendered  uncapable  for  near  two  years  past,  to  pro- 
cure my  self  and  family  even  the  common  necessaries  of  life,  during 
which  period  necessity  has  obliged  me  to  dispose  of  all  my  little 
moveables,  my  beding  and  wearing  apparrel  not  excepted,  to  pro- 
cure necessaries  for  the  support  of  nature;  I  have  nothing  more  to 
part  with,  and  am  absolutely  suffering  both  in  want  of  foode  and 
raiment,  not  having  a  single  shirt  to  shift  my  self.  To  innumerate 
all  my  sufferings  is  to  cutting  for  a  man  of  feeling,  and  what  is  re- 
lated already  I  hope  will  be  sufficient  to  induce  the  Honourable 
Council  to  do  something  in  my  favour.  I  rely.  Gentlemen,  on 
your  goodness,  beg^ng  God  to  keep  poverty  from  the  door,  both  of 
you  and  yours,  will   ever   be   the  fervent  Prayer  of  your  Humble 

Petitioner 

"  Daniel  Box 

"  Providence  June  4"'  1787  " 

Providence  Town  Papers,  No.  42^6. 

"  Providence  Novm''  1787 

•'To  the  Hon.''''?  the  Town  Council 

"  The  Humble  petition  of  Daniel  Box.  Sheweth 
"  Gentlemen 

"  It  is  with  the  greatest  reluctance  and  sorrow,  my  necessitys 
obliges  me  to  crave  your  farther  assistance,  respecting  my  Contin- 


COLONEL   LSRAEL  AXGELL.  45 

Sevear  as  Ever  known  Capt  Smith  who  Come 
to  providence  with  me  went  for  Boston  and 
bound  to  [  ] 

21st  January,  1779.  As  Cold  a  morn- 
in<T  as  Ever  was  known  and  Remained  so  the 
Dav  but  Nothing  Remarkable  happened. 

22d.  it  Still  remains  Sevear  Cold  Some 
Difficulty  arose  in  the  Reg.  Occationed  by  the 
Serg*  going  out  of  their   Quarters  Contrary  to 

nental  allowance  as  an  Invalid.  But  when  I  consider  your  readiness 
to  assist  me  on  a  former  like  occasion,  I  have  not  the  least  reason 
to  doubt,  but  the  same  spirit  of  Benevolence,  is  still  predominant. 
Especially  when  you  consider  the  Inclemency  of  the  approaching 
season.  Heavens  what  a  prospect !  for  a  man  every  way  unpro- 
vided for  the  onset.  The  approach  of  winter  makes  my  necessitys 
the  greater,  as  it  requires  many  expensive  articles  in  a  family,  nec- 
essary to  its  comfort,  that  is  not  so  much  wanted  in  the  more  clement 
season,  likewise  a  number  of  small  debts,  which  is  reasonable  to 
suppose,  I  must  have  contracted,  during  a  two  years  indisposition, 
which  I  want  very  much  to  satisfy.  Upon  these  considerations,  and 
many  others  to  numerous  to  mention,  tho  of  equel  weight;  I  in  the 
most  humble  manner  beseech  the  Hon'''«  Council,  if  it  is  not  in 
their  power  to  grant  me  an  order  for  the  whole  ballance  due,  they 
will  let  it  so  far  ex'ceed  tie  former  grant,  as  the  Summer  exceeds 
the  winter,  or  in  that  proportion. 

"  Upon  your  goodne-s  Gentlemen  rests  all  my  hopes. 
''  In  the  meantime  he  ])leased  to  except  the  unfeigned  thanks  of 
a  heart  full  of  gratitude  and  love  for  your  past  favour,  and  that  the 
gates  of  plenty,  honour,  and  happiness,  may  be  ever  open  to  you 
and  yours,  will  ever  be  the  constant  prayer  of  your  much  obliged 
humble  petitioner.  &c. 

"Note/  there  will  be  due  me  the  23  of  Novm""  210  Dolhirs. 

"  Received  by  your  last  order  on  a  Count      —  30        " 

"Ballance  ilSo" 

Providence  Town  Papers,  No.  46 /j. 


46  THE   DIARY   OF 

Orders,  at  night  my  self  and  Col.  Olney 
Spent  the  Evening  at  Gen'  Varnums  Q""  with 
Govenor  Bradford  and  a  Number  of  Gentle- 
men 

I  Reed  a  letter  in  the  Evening  informing  me 
that  there  was  a  movement  of  the  Enemy  the 
letter  was   from   Col   Shearburne. 

January  23d,  1779.  Much  warmer  this 
morning  then  it  had  been  before  in  Several 
days  about  5  o'clock  this  morning  there  was  a 
firing  heard  on  the  Western  Shore,  the  flashes 
of  the  Guns  was  seen  from  this  post,  but  what 
was  the  occasion  or  what  has  been  Done  is  not 
yet  known  Gen'  Varnum  &  Maj'  Thayer  Come 
to  the  garrison  this  Evening  from  Providence 
but  had  heard  no  news  of  the  above  S''  firing 
thus   Ended  the  day. 

24th.  A  Clowdy  wet  morning  and  warm 
but  Nothing  Remarkable  happened  Col.  Olney 
went  to  Providence  to  day. 

January  25th,  1779.  Clowdy  weather 
and   Raind   hard  in   the  afternoon. 

26th.  A  Clear  morning  And  warm  but 
soon   Clowded    over    Lt   William    Littlefield  ' 

'  William  Littlefield  (R.I.),  Ensign  12th  Continental  Infantry, 
1st  January  to  31st   December,   1776;    ist   Lieutenant   2d  Rhode 

Island,    1st   January,    1777;   Captain-Lieutenant  ;    discharged 

20th  June,  1780.     (Heitman's"  Officers  of  the  Continental  Army.") 

The  office  of  Captain-Lieutenant,  so  frequently  found  mentioned 


/  &  //  •'  z'        •/         Z  ^> 


^  /7-P/    /        /  ^ 

/  ^  i^^^rj^j'  y?  ^ '  X /■'*"/  ^^rj^'  ^ A  Xri*£^/ 


COLONEL   LSRAEL   AN  CELL.  47 

Returned  this  Evening  from  the  Grand  Army 
but  brought  no  news  of  Consequence 

27th.  A  Snowy  Morning  and  had  Snow'd 
Greater  part  of  the  Night  past  but  was  not  very 
Cold  it  remained  Clowdy  all  the  day  but  ceast 
Storming  about  Noon  nothing  Remarkable 
happened  this  day  Col.  Olney  Returned  from 
Providence  today. 

28th  January,  1779.  A  fine  Clear  and 
Plesant  morning  in  the  Afternoon  Col.  Webbs 
Regt.  Mutinied  '  and  turned  out  under  Arms 

in  the  rolls  of  the  Revolutionary  War,  is  here  explained  for  the 
reason  that  its  significance  is  not  generally  understood.  Gen. 
Horatio  Rogers,  in  his  explanatory  chapter  to  Hadden's  "  Journal 
and  Orderly  Books,  1 776-1 778,"  discusses  the  office  and  its  rank 
in  the  British  army,  and  as  the  American  army  was  organized  on 
practically  the  same  plan,  his  statements  apply  equally  well.  "  Each 
of  the  three  field  officers,"  he  says,  "  was  supposed  to  command  a 
company,  so  that  a  regiment  of  ten  companies  would  have  but  seven 
captains;  but  as  the  colonel  rarely  or  never  served  with  the  regi- 
ment, there  was  an  officer  styled  a  captain-lieutenant  who  com- 
manded the  colonel's  company.  Prior  to  1772  this  was  a  distinctive 
grade  between  lieutenant  and  captain;  but  in  that  year  an  order 
was  issued  giving  a  captain-lieutenant  the  rank  of  captain;  though 
the  'Captain-Lieutenant  and  Captain,'  as  he  was  afterwards  desig- 
nated in  the  Army  Lists,  was  always  the  junior  captain."  Such  was 
William  Littlefield,  of  Angell's  Regiment,  in  1779;  unlike  the  prac- 
tice in  the  British  army,  Colonel  Angell  served  almost  continuously 
with  his  regiment. 

'  Mutinies  among  the  Continental  troops  were  not  of  infrequent 
occurrence.  The  troops  were  mostly  incited  to  this  disorder  l^y  the 
lack  of  pay  and  rations.  May  29,  1 780,  two  regiments  of  Connecti- 
cut troops  mutinied  while  in  camp  near  Morristown,  and  a  brigade 
of  the  Pennsylvania  lint-  was  called  out  to  ciuell  the  disturbance. 


48  THE  DIARY  OF 

but  was  with  Some  Difficulty  Desperst  but  at 
Night  they  all  paraded  and  Marched  to  the 
Barracks  where  my  men  was  and  about  forty  of 
my  Regt  Joined  them  after  talking  some  time 
with  them  they  all  Disperst  and  Remained  in 
peace  the  night. 

January  29.  A  fine  pleasant  morning 
and  at  Roll  Call  I  ordered  fore  of  my  Men 
Whipt  for  attempting  and  Robbing  a  Corporal 
for  Informing  the  officers  that  they  were  a 
turning  out  with  their  Arms,  in  the  afternoon 
I  and  Gen  Varnum  went  to  Providence  from 
thence  I  went  to  my  fathers  there  tarried  the 
Night. 

Jany.  30th,  1779.  A  pleasant  morning 
and  after  breakfast  I  set  off  for  Providence  but 
could  do  no  business  with  the  Council  of  war 
in  the  afternoon  I  set  off  for  my  own  hous  and 
a  violent  Stormy  time  I  had  as  it  snow'd  all 
the  way  home  I  got  to  my  own  hous  about 
sunset  found   all  well. 

The  fourth  of  January  the  next  year  the  Pennsylvania  troops  mu- 
tinied, some  blood  was  shed,  and  a  serious  state  of  affairs  was  averted 
only  by  the  prompt  and  firm  action  of  General  Wayne.  A  few 
days  later  the  New  Jersey  line  cantoned  at  Pompton,  N.J.,  mutinied, 
and  left  the  camp,  closely  pursued  by  General  Howe  (American), 
who  suppressed  the  revolt  and  executed  some  of  the  ringleaders. 
May  6,  1782,  another  mutiny  among  the  Connecticut  troops  occurred 
near  Fishkill,  which  was  promptly  surpressed.  (Thatcher's  "  Mili- 
tary Journal,"  pp.  198,  246,  251,  310.) 


COLONEL  ISRAEL  AN  CELL.  49 

January  31,  1779.  it  had  Cleared  off 
and  was  good  Weather  this  morning  I  spent  the 
Day  in  running  about  the  Neighbourhood  to 
day  on  busines  and  tarried  at  my  own  hous  the 
Night  following. 

Febry.  1st,  1779.  A  fine  pleasant  morn- 
incT  after  Breakfast  1  set  of  for  Camp  at  Warren 
it  Remained  Exceeding  Plesant  over  head  but 
thaw'd  So  as  to  make  it  bad  traviling  I  arrived 
in  Camp  bv  Sunset  and  found  all  well  Col 
Peck '  and  Doctor  Hagan  '  was  at  my  Q'^ 

1  Probably  William  Peck  (Conn.),  Adjutant  17th  Continental 
Infantry,  1st  January,  1776;  Brigade  Major  to  General  Spencer, 
28th  July,  1776;  Major  and  Aide-de-Camp  to  General  Spencer, 
14th  August,  1776,  to  January,  1778;  served  also  as  Colonel  and 
Deputy  Adjutant-General  of  Forces  in  Rhode  Island,  20th  May, 
1777,  until  he  resigned,  about  October,  1781.  (Ileitman's  "Offi- 
cers of  the  Continental  Army."')  See  also  Providence  Town  Papers, 
Nos.  1452,  2145. 

®  There  was  a  Francis  Hagan,  of  New  Jersey,  who  was  Hospital 
Physician  and  Surgeon,  Oct. '6,  1780;  he  resigned  the  service  May 
25,  1781. 


so 


THE  DAIRY  OF 


PART    THREE. 


A  PORTION  of  this  section  of  the  diary 
has  been  lost,  the  first  entry,  which  was 
apparently  for  the  eighteenth  of  June,  1779, 
being  incomplete, —  it  refers  to  the  engage- 
ment at  Charlestown  Neck,  South  Carolina, 
on  May  11,  1779,  news  of  which  had  only 
then  been  received. 

The  part  concludes  with  the  fourteenth  of 
August,  1779,  when  the  regiment  was  en- 
camped at  Barbers'  Heights,  in  North  Kings- 
town, Rhode  Island. 

Army  being  Defeted  in  an  Action 
against  Charlestown,'  South  Carolina,  the  En- 
emy was  Pressing  on  to  gain  the  town  Gen' 
Lincon  was  in  the  Rear  the  Enemy  was 
Repulsed  and  Retreated  then  Rallied  Come 
on  the  Second  time  and  was  totally  defeated 
thus   Ends  the   Day  with  this  Glorious  News. 

'  In  this  engagement  General  Lincoln  sustained  a  loss,  according 
to  Gordon  (British),  of  killed  and  wounded,  146,  besides  155  miss- 
ing. 


COLONEL  ISRAEL   ANCELL.  5 1 

19th.      Nothing  Remarkable  this  Day. 

June  20th,  1779.  Fine  weather  and 
nothing  remarkable  untill  Evening  when  we 
had  the  grand  news  of  the  Brittish  armys  being 
Entirely  Defeted  in  georgia. 

21st.  Good  weather,  this  Day  I  sent  to 
Coxet '  to  divide  the  prize  taken  by  the  weasel 
and  nothing  Remarkable  happens 

June22d,  1779.  This  day  all  the  offi- 
cers of  my  Regt  and  Colo  Sherburnes  met  at  a 
place  called  Pecks  Rocks  "  where  they  had  a 
grand  Entertainment  I  did  not  attend  my  self 
with  them,  in  the  afternoon  Reed  an  express 
from  General  Gates  ^  Desiring  me  to  attend 
head  Quarters,  I  set  off  immediately,  when  I 
Come  to  Providence  the  Gen^  informed  me  he 
was  going  to  Remove  my  Regt  to  Boston  neck 
and  Col  Jackson's  to  Warren.  I  went  to  my 
Brother  Whipples  and  tarried  the  night. 

June  23,  1779.  Left  Providence  this 
morning  after  waiting  on  the  Gen'  arrived  at 

'  Acoxet,  a  part  of  Dartmouth,  Mass.,  also  spelled  Coaksett. 
(_See  Plymouth  Colony  Records,  Vol.  IV.,  p.  65.) 

*  The  place  called  Peck's  Rocks  is  located  at  the  mouth  of  the 
Warren  River,  nearly  opposite  Rumstick  Point,  in  the  town  of  Bris- 
tol, R.I.  It  was  near  here  that  the  British  forces  landed  when 
they  made  the  attack  on  the  towns  of  Warren  and  Bristol,  May 
25,  1778. 

•■'  Gen.  Horatio  Gates  held  command  of  the  troops  in  Rhode 
Island  from  April  to  November,  1779. 


52  THE  DIARY  OF 

Camp  about  ten  oclock  AM  went  to  preparing 
for  a  move. 

24th.  This  morning  we  packt  up  all  our 
baggage  and  begun  to  Remove  it  to  warren.  I 
rode  out  into  Swansey  to  Mr.  Hills  Tavern 
to  take  my  leave  of  them.  Returned  and  dined 
with  Gen.  Miller'   then  went  to  the  camp  and 

'  Gen.  Nathan  Miller  was  horn  in  the  town  of  Warren,  R.I. 
(then  Swansea,  Mass.),  March  20,  1743.  He  was  the  oldest  son  of 
Nathan  and  Patience  (Turner)  Miller,  being  sixth  in  line  of  descent 
from  John  Miller,  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Rehoboth,  and  fifth  in 
line  of  descent  from  Capt.  William  Turner,  who  lost  his  life  during 
Philip's  War,  while  in  command  of  a  volunteer  company  at  Turn- 
er's Falls.  His  paternal  great-great-grandmother  was  Elizabeth, 
daughter  of  William  Sabine,  a  Huguenot  refugee  of  wealth  and 
culture,  whose  name  appeared  upon  the  Rehoboth  records  as  early 
as  1643.  His  grandfather,  Samuel  Miller,  was  a  large  landed  pro- 
prietor, and  was  among  the  first  in  Warren  to  engage  in  ship  build- 
ing. The  Miller  family  were  prominent  members  of  the  social, 
political,  and  religious  circles  of  their  native  town,  and  gave  their 
name  to  one  of  its  principal  streets. 

At  the  outbreak  of  the  Revolution  General  Miller  and  his  brother, 
William  Turner  Miller,  at  once  embraced  the  cause  of  liberty,  and 
throughout  the  war  both  labored  diligently  in  defence  of  their 
country.  In  1775  Nathan  Miller  was  chosen  Commissary  to  Gen- 
eral Hopkins'  troops.  In  1777  he  was  appointed  a  recruiting  offi- 
cer. In  1778  he  became  a  member  of  the  Council  of  War.  In 
the  spring  of  this  year,  he,  in  connection  with  Le  Baron  Bradford, 
Samuel  Pearce,  Samuel  Brown,  and  Cromwell  Child  fitted  out  the 
privateer  sloop  "  General  Stark,"  of  fourteen  guns,  which  captured 
two  or  more  prizes,  though  eventually  falling  into  the  hands  of  the 
enemy.  During  the  battle  of  Rhode  Island  he  was  in  command  of 
a  regiment.  In  1779,  after  having  been  advanced  through  various 
military  grades,  he  was  appointed  Brigadier-General  of  the  counties 
of  Newport  and  Bristol.  Throughout  that  and  the  following  year 
he  served  on  various  committees.     So  arduous  were  his  many  duties 


COLONEL  ISRAEL  AN  CELL.  53 

found  a  man  there  who  had  brought  a  load  of 
the  goods  from  our  prize  at  Coxet  the  goods 
was  at  Kickemuit  Bridg  we  went  imeadetly  to 
carting  it  to  warren  and  at  three  o'clock  all  the 
tents  was  struck  loaded  into  the  waggons  a  little 
after  four  the  Reg'  marched  off  the  Ground 
went  to  Warren  where  they  tarried  the  night 
in  my  Journal  of  the  22'"'  forgot  to  mention 
one  MellencuUy  Accident  which  happend  two 
youna;    men  of  my   Reg'  Benjamin    Bird   and 

that  in  1781  he  decided  to  withdraw  from  public  life,  but  at  the 
request  of  the  General  Assembly  reconsidered  his  determination, 
and  in  August  of  that  year  was  placed  in  command  of  the  flag-of- 
truce  "Nancy"  and  proceeded  to  New  York  for  the  purpose  of 
negotiating  an  exchange  of  prisoners.  In  1782  he  was  chosen  one 
of  a  committee  to  sell  certain  confiscated  estates,  and  was  also  a 
member  of  the  committee  of  ways  and  means.  He  continued  his 
active  participation  in  public  affairs  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
March  20,  1790. 

General  Miller  represented  Warren  as  a  Deputy  to  the  General 
Assembly  for  a  period  of  nine  years.  In  February,  1786,  he  was 
elected  a  delegate  to  the  United  States  Congress,  the  Rev.  James 
Manning,  D.D.,  President  of  Rhode  Island  College,  being  his  col- 
league. 

With  the  French  officers  stationed  in  Rhode  Island  General  Mil- 
ler was  on  most  intimate  terms,  his  Huguenot  blood  forming  a  bond 
of  union  mutually  agreeable.  General  Lafayette,  while  encamped 
at  Warren,  was  his  frequent  guest,  and  a  warm  friendship  existed 
between  the  two.  General  Miller  was  also  greatly  attached  to  Count 
Rochambeau,  with  whom  he  exchanged  swords.  The  Rochambeau 
sword  is  a  handsome  rapier,  the  blade  ornamented  with  gold  and 
blue,  while  the  hilt  and  guard  are  of  silver.  It  is  owned  by  a  de- 
scendant of  General  Miller,  and  is  a  highly  prized  heirloom. 

The  personal  appearance  of  General  Miller  was  very  striking, 
owing  to  his  remarkable  size.     His  weight  was  above  three  hun- 


54  THE  DIARY   OF 

James  Lobb  were  both  drowned  in  Kickemuit 
River  the  first  men  lost  out  of  the  Regt  Since 
the  action  on  the  Island  —  by  Death 

June  25th,  1779.  This  morning  I  turnd 
out  by  two  o'clock  and  before  four  had  all  the 
troops  embarkt  and  on  their  passage.  I  tarried 
myself  till  after  Breakfast  then  went  on  by 
land  in  Company  with  Lt  Jeruald '  and  his 
wife  to  Providence  as  I  was  a  member  of  a 
Court  Martial  to  set  there  by  adjournment  for 
the  trial  of  Col  Vose "  arrived  in  Providence 

dred  pounds.  His  boots  were  said  to  have  held  a  bushel  of  corn 
apiece,  while  four  boys  were  easily  buttoned  into  his  vest. 

The  Marquis  de  Chastellux,  in  the  narrative  of  his  travels 
through  America,  alludes  to  the  great  corpulency  of  the  general, 
and  also  to  the  remarkable  size  of  his  sister,  Mrs.  Burr,  wife  of  the 
landlord  of  the  famous  Warren  hostelry,  Burr's  Tavern. 

General  Miller  married  his  cousin,  Rebekah  Barton,  daughter  of 
Samuel  and  Lillis  (Turner)  Barton,  Jan.  8,  1764.  She  survived  him 
several  years,  dying  Aug.  21,  1817.  By  this  marriage  there  were 
two  children  :  a  son,  Caleb,  who  died  in  early  youth,  and  a  daughter, 
Abigail,  who  married  Charles  Wheaton,  of  Providence. 

The  old  Miller  homestead  is  still  standing  in  Warren,  at  the  foot 
of  Miller  street.  Many  years  ago  it  passed  from  the  Miller  family  into 
stranger  hands.  Though  somewhat  decayed,  it  preserves  its  colo- 
nial appearance,  and  forms  one  of  the  most  interesting  of  Warren's 
ancient  landmarks. 

'  Dutee  Jerauld,  recommended  by  General  Washington  and 
appointed  2d  Lieutenant  of  the  Second  Battalion  raised  by  the 
Colony  of  Rhode  Island,  October,  1776.  (See  Rhode  Island  Colo- 
nial Records,  Vol.  VII.,  p.  11.)  Appointed  ist  Lieutenant,  Feb- 
ruary, 1777.     (Same,  Vol.  VIII.,  p.  127.) 

'•*  "  Head  Quarters  July  g'h  1779  Field  Officer  Major  Trescott 

"The  Gen'  Court  Martial  held  the  a""*.  June  1779  and  Continued 
by  adjournment  until  the  6"'  July  of  which  B  Gen'  .Starks  was  Pres- 


COLOXEL  ISRAEL  AA'GELL.  55 

half  after  nine  hut  the  president  was  gone  into 
the  Country  and  I  Went  to  Johnston  to  see 
mv  family  where  I  arrived  by  two  oclock  & 
found    all  well   but  was   much  unwell    myselt. 

ent  Col'>  Joseph  Vose  Commander  of  the  4th  Regiment  from  the 
State  of  Massachusetts  Bay  was  Tryed  for  a  Complaint  Exhibited 
from  a  number  of  his  officers  for  fraud  for  Taking  a  Quantaty  of 
Rum  Drawn  for  the  Reg'  for  his  own  use  Sec"!,  in  Defrauding  the 
United  States  of  a  Number  of  Shirts  out  Major  Shipherdes  Store  at 
Albany  thir<i.  for  Selling  a  Horse  belonging  to  the  United  States  to 
an  Inhabitant  Near  Valley  Forge  4th  for  Drawing  pay  for  being  on 
Command  while  on  Furlough  5th  for  keeping  the  Taylors  employed 
by  the  United  States  to  work  for  the  army  and  alowed  extra  Pay 
there  for.  at  work  for  those  of  his  famaly  that  did  not  belong  to  the 
Service  6"^  for  Drawing  pay  for  a  Serjeants  Doing  Q""  Mafters  duty 
and  keeping  all  the  mony  But  Seven  Dollors  &  i  p^  Month  in  his 
own  hands  &  Converting  it  to  his  own  use  7"'.  for  Sending  home 
Blankits  Drawn  from  the  Store  for  the  Regiment  8'^  for  using  Cloth 
Drawn  for  the  Regiment  to  make  his  hired  men  Clothes  9'^  for 
Geni.  UnGentlemanlike  behavour  to  the  officers  of  his  Regiment. 
The  Charges  being  Read  to  Col"  Vose  he  pleaded  not  Guilty  the 
Court  upon  a  Mature  and  full  Consideration  of  the  Respective 
Charges,  and  the  Evidences  for  and  against  Col"  Vose  and  of 
oppinion  on  the  first  Charge  that  Col".  Vose  was  by  no  Means 
Justifyable  in  Taking  the  Rum  which  it  appeared  he  did  but  on  the 
Contrary  is  highly  Repremandable  yet  in  Consideration  of  the 
Trifelling  Quantaty  he  Took  and  the  Necessity  he  appears  to  be 
under  for  the  Rum  The  Commissary  not  having  any  at  that  Time 
and  his  Charractor  as  an  Officer  acquit  him  of  any  Intintion  of 
defrauding  the  Soldiers  in  this  Instent  on  each  and  every  other  of 
the  Charges  the  Court  are  of  oppinion  that  they  are  not  Supported 
&  that  Col°.  Vose  is  not  Guilty  of  any  one  of  the  Instinces  of  which 
he  is  Charged  &  there  for  acquit  him  &  the  Gen'.  Confirmes  the 
Judgement  of  the  Court,  and  orders  Col".  Vose  to  be  Relesed 
from  his  arrest  &  to  Take  Command  of  his  Regiment.  The  Gen' 
Court  Martial  of  which  B.  Gen'.  Glovers  is  president  is  Desolved."  — 
Orderly  Book,  Headquarters,  Providence. 


56  THE  DIARY  OF 

June  26,  1779.  Clowdy  and  foggy  after 
Breakfast  went  on  to  join  my  Reg^  went  to 
East  Greenwich  there  Din'd.  then  went  on 
to  Barbers  Hill  '  where  I  found  the  Reg' 
Encampt  when  I  had  got  to  the  Regt  was  all 
most  Sick  it  being  an  exceeding  hot  Day  and 
I  had  not  been  well  for  Several  Days  before 
Col.  Greene  Maj  Flagg^  were  both  at  the  En- 
campment when   I   came  there. 

June  27,  1779.  I  was  in  a  shocking  situ- 
ation of  health  this  morning,  but  got  some  bet- 
ter in  the  afternoon  and  Road  to  updike 
Newtown  and  Reconitered  the  Shore  betwixt  the 
encampment  and  the  above  said  town  then 
went  to  Maj''  Gardners  there  Drunk  tea  and 
Returned  to  the  camp  thus  ends  the  day 

June  28th.  A  clowdy  Raw  windy  morn- 
ing this  being  the  day  that  the  battle  was  at 
Monmoth  ^  1  prepaird  and  Entertainment  for  all 

'  Barber's  Height  is  a  commanding  eminence  in  North  Kingstown 
two  hundred  feet  above  the  sea  level;  from  its  highest  point  a 
view  can  be  obtained  of  the  whole  lower  bay  (Narragansett)  and 
for  many  miles  off  to  sea. 

^  Flagg,  Ebenezer  (R.I.).  Captain  2d  Rhode  Island  Regiment, 
28th  June  to  December,  1775;  Captain  9th  Continental  Infantry, 
1st  January  to  31st  December,  1776;  Captain  1st  Rhode  Island,  ist 
January,  1777;  Major,  26th  May,  1778;  killed,  14th  May,  1781, 
by  Delancy's  Tories  in  Westchester  County,  New  Vork.  (Heitman's 
"Officers  of  the  Continental  Army.") 

^  The  battle  of  Monmouth  took  place  June  28,  1778;  in  this 
engagement  Angell's  Regiment  bore  a  conspicuous  part,  being  in 
the  division  commanded  by  General  Lee. 


COLOXEL  ISRAEL   AX  CELL.  57 

the  Officers  of  my  Reg^  and  all  Dind  togeather 
there  Came  a  brigg  in  from  Sea  this  afternoon 
I  orderd  a  piece  ot  artillery  down  on  the  shore 
and  brought  her  too.  it  proved  to  be  a  Brigg 
from  Sandy  Cruze  bound  to  Providence  with 
Rum  and  Sowering  on  board  thus  Ends  the 
Day  William  Jacobs  master  of  the  abovesd 
Brigg. 

June  19th,  1779.  Clowdy  Morning 
Capt  Humphrey  '  a  Sergt  and  four  men  was 
sent  to  Greenwich  this  morning  at  Sunrise  on 
Busness.  Nothing  of  Consequence  happened 
this  Day. 

30th.  This  Day  we  had  an  Invitation  to 
Dine  with  a  Number  of  Gentlemen  and  ladies 
at  one  M'  Gardners  who  lived  upon  the  farm 
that   was    Rooms."      I    and    Col    Olney   went, 

'  Humphrey,  William  (R.I.),  Lieutenant  of  Varnum's  Rhode 
Island  Regiment,  June,  1775;  taken  prisoner  at  Quebec,  31st  De- 
cember, 1775;  1st  Lieutenant  2(1  Rhode  Island,  1st  January,  1777; 
Captain,  22d  October,  1777;  transferred  to  ist  Rhode  Island,  1st 
January,  1781,  and  served  to  close  of  war.  (Heitman's  "Officers  of 
the  Continental  Army.") 

A  journal  of  the  expedition  against  Quebec,  kept  by  him,  is  in 
the  possession  of  his  great-grandson,  George  Humphrey,  Ksij..  of 
Providence,  R.I. 

'  George  Rome,  "a  gentleman  of  estate"  and  a  merchant  from 
England,  came  to  Rhode  Island  in  1761,  as  the  agent  of  the  house 
of  Halsey  &  Hopkins. 

He  resided  in  Newport  winters,  and  in  Narragansett  summers. 
His  estate  was  located  on  Boston  Neck,  in  North  Kingstown,  and 


58  THE  DIARY  OF 

and  spent  the  Day  very  agreable  being  a  very 
respectable  company  of  the  most  principal  In- 
habitants for  Several  miles  around. 

July    1st,    1779.      An   Exceeding    Raney 

consisted  of  about  seven  hundred  acres,  "  bounding  easterly  on  the 
Narragansett  Bay. 

"The  mansion  house  was  highly  finished  and  furnished.  The 
beds  were  concealed  from  view  in  the  wainscots  —  the  rooms  might 
be  traversed  throughout,  and  not  a  bed  for  the  repose  of  the  guests 
be  seen.     .     . 

"  When  the  hour  for  retirement  arrived,  a  servant  would  just  give 
a  touch  to  a  spring  in  the  ceiling  and  the  visitor's  bed,  by  means  of 
a  self-adjusting  process,  would  protrude  itself,  as  if  by  the  effect  of 
magic,  ready  prepared  for  the  reception  of  its  tenant." 

His  grounds  were  elegantly  embellished,  and  he  entertained  with 
"  sumptuous  hospitality." 

In  the  Stamp  Act  excitement  he  wrote  a  letter  to  a  friend  in 
Boston  in  which  he  reviled  the  Legislature,  the  Courts,  and  juries 
of  the  Colony,  and  charged  general  corruption  therein.  It  aroused 
the  most  intense  excitement. 

He  was  summoned  before  the  Legislature  at  its  session  in  Octo- 
ber, 1773,  in  South  Kingstown,  and  questioned  as  to  his  expressions; 
but  he  evaded  all  the  questions  and  was  adjudged  in  contempt,  and 
by  order  of  the  House  was  committed  to  the  common  gaol  of  South 
Kingstown,  where  he  remained  until  the  House  rose.  "  After  his  re- 
lease from  prison,  realizing  the  extent  of  popular  feeling  against  him 
and  fearing  that  it  might  work  him  still  more  bodily  harm,  he  '  fled 
on  board  of  the  •'  Rose,"  man-of-war,  then  lying  in  the  Narragansett 
bay.'  " 

His  estates  were  later  seized  by  the  Colony,  and  at  a  session  of 
the  General  Assemlily,  in  October,  I775,  a  committee  wasappointed 
to  sell  at  public  auction  all  the  effects  of  George  Rome  in  possession 
of  the  State  and  pay  the  money  into  the  State  Treasury. 

For  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly  relating  to  this  affair,  see  Vol. 
XII.,  Rhode  Island  Colonial  Records,  pp.  376,  394,  421,  499,  520, 
549.  See  also  my  "  Esek  Hopkins,  Commander-in-Chief  of  the 
American  Navy."  p.  53. 


COLOXEL   ISRAEL   AN  CELL.  59 

morning  with  Thunder  and  Showers  Lt  Cook  ' 
of  Col.  Greenes  Regt.  Come  from  the  Meroon 
froHck  ^  last  night  and  Tarried  in  Camp 
Breakfasted  with  me  and  after  Dinner  Set  off 
for  Greenwich  where  we  arrived  in  the  after- 
noon and  after  Drinking  a  glass  of  wine  with 
the  Governor  ^  went  on  for  my  own  hous 
where  arrived   by   Sunset  found  all  well. 

2d.  it  Storming  this  Day  I  tarried  at  my 
own  hous  the  Day  and  nothing  Remarkable 
happened. 

3d.  Clear  and  pleasant  I  set  off  with  Mr 
Stevens  this  morning  for  Providence  Mr  Luther 
went  with  his  team  to  bring  up  Some  Stores  for 
me  that  the  Weasel  brought  and  nails  for  a  barn 
I  waited  upon  the  Genl  for  liberty  to  tarry  until 
the  Court  Martial  Set  which  was  on  Monday 
this  was  Saturdav  the  request  was  granted  me 
after  doing  what  business  I  had  to  do  returned 
to  my  hous  in  Johnston  by  two  o'clock  Joseph 

'Cooke,  John  (R.I.).  Ensign  ist  Rhode  Island,  1st  Jan- 
uary, 1777;  2d  Lieutenant,  1st  June,  1778;  Regimental  Quarter- 
master, ,  1778,10  ;  was  in  service  May,  17S0. 
(Heitman's  "Officers  of  the  Continental  Army.") 

*  A  hunting  or  fishing  trip,  or  excursion,  in  Southern  United 
States,  to  camp  out  after  the  manner  of  the  West  Indian  Maroons; 
a  pleasure  excursion  of  some  duration,  with  provisions  for  living 
in  camp.  "Marooning  Cases"  are  frequently  mentioned  in  old 
inventories.     See  Prov.  Probate  Records,  Wills,  No.  il,  p.  38. 

■*  William  (Jreene,  If.,  Governor  from  May,  1778,  to  May,  1786, 
who  lived  near  I'.ast  Gieenwich. 


6o  THE  DIARY   OF 

Thrasher  '  a  deserter  from  my  Regt.  was  taken 
near  Providence  Confined  in  the  Main  guard 
yesterday  bv  Capt  Joab  Sweeting'  an  inhabi- 
tant. 

July  4th,  1779.  fine  weather  this  being 
Sunday  I  tarried  at  home  untill  after  noon  then 
went  to  Meeting  at  Samuel  Angell's  returned 
with  a  number  of  ladies  and  Spent  the  afternoon 
very  agreable. 

July  5th.  Clear  and  pleasant  morning  my 
people  begun  this  morning  to  make  prepara- 
tions to  raise  a  barn  I  went  to  Providence  to  at- 
tend the  Court  Martial  but  it  being  a  day  for  the 
Selebrating  our  Independence  the  Court  stood 
adjourned  until  tomorrow  morning  Six  oclock 
So  I  returned  home  and  attended  on  the  Rais- 
ing of  my  Barn  which  was  rais'd  in  the  After- 
noon without  Aney  Accident  happening. 

July  6th,  1779.  I  set  off  By  Sunrise  this 
morning  for  Providence  to  attend  the  Court 
which  did  not  meet  untill  near  nine  oclock  when 
we   proceeded  to   business    and    finished  before 

'  Joseph  Thrasher,  of  Capt.  William  Tew's  Company. 

2  Job  Sweeting,  appointed  Dec.  24,  1774,  with  others,  a  com- 
mittee for  resisting  the  Act  of  the  British  Parliament  imposing  a  duty 
on  tea,  and  for  otherwise  raising  a  revenue  in  the  American  Colonies. 

February,  1776,  appointed,  with  others,  a  committee  to  procure  as 
much  gold  and  silver  coin  as  they  can  for  the  operations  in  Canada. 
He  does  not  appear  to  have  been  engaged  in  any  military  service. 
Many  references  to  him  are  in  Providence  Town  Papers. 


COLONEL   ISRAEL   AN  CELL.  6 1 

Sunset  as  Genl  Glovers  Brigade  was  ordered  to 
move  it  became  necessary  for  the  trial  to  be 
ended  as  soon  as  possible  therefore  the  Court 
set  in  the  Afternoon,  which  is  not  Agreable  to 
the  Articles  oi  war  Except  in  cases  of  Necessity 
like  this,  this  day  we  reed  the  news  of  the  death 
of  Capt  Joseph  Olney  of  North  Providence, 
who  departed  this  life  this  morning  very  Sudden 
just  before  day.  his  wife  observed  him  to  fetch 
a  Sigh  and  a  groan  She  spoke  to  him  but  he 
did  not  answer  her,  and  died  imeadietley  without 
speaking  another  word  I  returned  to  my  own 
hous  this   Evening. 

July  7th,  1779.  This  day  I  expected  to 
have  gone  to  Boston  Neck  to  join  the  Regt.  but 
my  wife  had  a  mind  to  go  to  see  her  mother  so 
after  Dinner  I  and  my  wife  set  off  for  her 
mothers  and  I  returned  in  the  Evening  in 
order  to  sett  off  for  the  Camp  Early  in  the 
morning. 

July  8th.  This  morning  1  got  up  very 
Early  in  order  to  set  off  on  my  journey  tor 
the  Camp  but  my  horse  had  run  away  and  took 
me  all  the  forenoon  to  look  for  him  in  the 
afternoon  I  set  off  for  Camp  went  to  Green- 
wich there  Col.  Greene  Desired  me  to  tarry 
with  him  until  next  day  and  he  and  Major 
Elagg  would   both  go  with  me.      1    tarricel   and 


62  THE  DIARY  OF 

between  two  and  three  o'clock  in  the  morning 
we  were  allarmed  by  the  firing  of  small  arms 
below  towards  New  Town  '  on  which  the  Allarm 
Guns  were  fird  at  New  Town  and  Warwick. 

9th.  I  immediately  on  the  Allarm  set  ofF 
for  Camp  arrived  at  New  Town  before  Sunrise 
on  my  way  there  mett  some  Militia  who  in- 
formed me  that  there  was  three  Boats  with 
about  one  Hundred  men  landed  at  Ouonset^ 
above  new  town  &  Plundered  John  Dyer's 
Hous  of  Some  Small  matter  of  goods  he  him- 
self crept  out  on  the  Rough  (roof)  of  the  hous 
and  made  his  Escape,  then  I  tarried  at  New- 
town untill  Ensign  Pratt  -^  Returned  as  he  was 
gone  to  Col  Dyers  to  see  what  intelligence  he 
could  get  but  he  returned  with  no  more  than  I 
had  heard  before  we  then  Set  off  for  Camp  it 
had  rained  Considerable  in  the  morning,  and 
imeaditely  set  in  to  raining  Exceeding  hard  by 
which  means  I  got  as  wet  as  water  would  make 
me  by  the  time  1  got  to  the  Camp  it  Cleared  off 
by  noon  nothing  more   Remarkable  happened. 

'  Updike's  New-town,  now  Wickford.  , 

^  Quonset  Point  or  Seconiquonset  Point  (see  Harris  Map   State 

of  Rhode  Island,  1795),  to  the  north-east  of  the  village  of  Wickford, 

in  North  Kingstown.    The  Rhode  Island  State  Militia  camp-grounds 

are  located  there. 

^  William  Pratt  appointed  Ensign  by  General  Assembly  of  Rhode 

Island,  June,  17S0,  commission  to  date  from  May  I,  1779.      (Rhode 

Island  Colonial  Records,  Vol.  IX.,  p.  90.) 


COLOXEL   ISRAEL   AN  CELL.  63 

10th.  This  Day  being  pleasant  I  with  five 
or  six  of  my  officers  went  to  Col  Sands '  Tower 
HilP  to  dine  with  him  and  spent  the  day  I 
forgot  to  mention  that  on  the  8"'  Reed  the 
Disagreeable  News  of  the  Enemys  having 
possession  of  new  Haven  ■'  we  Daily  have  in- 
telligence from  them  Yesterday  we  heard  that 
they  had  burnt  fairfield  and  to  Day  it  was 
Confirmd  we  further  heard  that  they  were  of 
against  New  London.^ 

July  nth,  1779.  This  Day  I  went  on 
Dutch   Island  '    Returned   by  Two   oclock  and 

'Ray  Sands  lived  at  Tower  Hill  and  in  1775  was  appointed 
Postmaster  at  the  office  there  established.  In  October  of  that  year 
he  was  chosen  Captain  of  the  Third  Company  in  South  Kingstown, 
and  again  in  1776.  In  July,  1776,  he  was  chosen  Major  of  the 
Second  Regiment  of  Militia  in  Kings  County,  holding  this  position 
for  a  few  months,  when  he  was  advanced  to  the  position  of  Colonel, 
"in  the  room  of  Samuel  Seagar,  who  is  gone  to  sea." 

Colonel  Sands  was  stationed  at  Boston  Neck  and  Point  Judith  in 
December,  1776,  in  command  of  detachments  sent  there  for  guard 
<]uty.  At  the  March  session  of  the  General  Assembly,  1777,  it  was 
m.ade  known  that  the  election  of  Sands  in  place  of  Seagar  was  to 
the  office  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  instead  of  Colonel,  the  Secretary  hav- 
ing erroneously  made  the  record  and  issued  a  commission.  This  mis- 
take n.ade  necessary  several  changes,  all  of  which  may  be  found 
explained  in  Rhode  Island  Colonial  Records,  Vol.  8,  pp.  179,  180. 

*  To  the  south-west  of  Barbers  Heights  and  east  of  Boston  Neck, 
178  feet  above  tide  water. 

•*  These  were  the  raids  made  by  Tryon  against  the  towns  on  the 
Connecticut  coast. 

*  New  London  was  spared  an  attack,  the  raiders  being  called  to 
New  York  on  account  of  the  Stony  Point  engagement. 

*  Dutch  Island  lies  to  the  south  of  Barbers  Heights,  and  against 
the  western  shores  of  Conanicut  Island. 


64  THE  DIARY   OF 

it  soon    Set   in   to  Storming    thus   Ended    the 
Day. 

12th.  Last  Night  was  as  Stormy  a  Night 
perhaps  as  Ever  Known  with  rain  wind  and 
Thunder  numbers  of  the  Marques  and  tents 
blow  Down  and  the  greatest  part  of  the  troops 
was  as  wet  as  the  water  would  make  them  it 
Cleared  off  this  Day  by  a  little  after  12  oclock. 
a  Court  Martial  '  Set  at  Mr.  Moreys  in  New- 
town to  try  two  Deserters  from  my  Regt  John 
Deruce  and  Joseph  Thrasher  a  further  Confir- 
mation Come  this  Day  of  the  Enemy's  burning 
fairfield. 

13th.  Nothing  Remarkable  this  day 
14th.  The  Same  to  Day  as  yesterday 
July  15th,  1779.  This  Day  Reed  news 
that  there  was  nothing  in  the  Report  of  the 
Action  at  Charlestown  South  Carolina  but 
think  it  all  most  impossible  that  Lying  Could 
be  Carried  to  such  a  pitch  I  went  to  Newtown 
Major  Thayer  to  Warren. 

'  "  At  a  Brigade  Court  Martial  held  at  Updike  Newtown  on  the 
12"^  Instant  (July  I2  1779)  of  which  Lt.  Col°  OIney  was  Presid' 
John  Deruse  of  Col".  Angills  Regiment  was  Tryed  for  Desersion  to 
the  Enemy  and  Carrying  with  him  a  Guard  Boat — The  Prisoner 
being  Brought  Before  the  Court  Pleads  Guilty  The  Court  therefore 
Sentence  him  To  Suffer  Death  —  The  Gen',  approves  the  Sentence 
of  the  Court  —  Joseph  Thrasher  of  Col".  Angells  Regiment  Tryed  at 
the  above  Court  for  Desertion  found  Guilty  and  Sentenced  to  Re- 
ceve  one  hundred  lashes  on  his  Bare  Back — The  Gen',  approves 
the  Sentence  and  Orders  the  punishment  inflicted  immeadiately." 


COLONEL   ISRAEL   A.VGELL.  65 

16th.  Clear  Cold  and  windy  weather  I 
Col  Houg(  )  and  Capt.  Allen'  went  round 
what  is  called  Boston  Neck  below  where  we  lav 
on  Barbers  Hights  Returned  and  found  Col 
Greene  in  Camp  this  Evening  Major  Thayer 
Returned  troni  Warren 

July  17th,  1779.  Clowdy  and  Exceeding 
Windy  and  Cold  but  nothing  happened  ex- 
traordinary 

18th       Nothing  Remarkable  this  day 

19th.  This  Evening  we  Read  a  hand  bill 
from  Providence  that  General  Wavne  with  \  200 
of  the  light  troops  had  taken  the  Brittish  fort 
on  Stoney  Point  "  at  Kings  ferry  on  North 
River  he  took  the  fort  on  Surprise  Carri'd  it 
with  the  loss  of  four  men  killed  and  Eleven 
wounded,  the  garrison  Consisted  of  five  hun- 
dred Brittish  troops  who  were  all  killd  and 
made  prisoners  to  a  man  it  is  said  100  of  them 
were  killed  and  wounded. 

'  Allen,  William  (R.I.)>  1st  Lieutenant  nth  Continental  Infantry, 
1st  January  to  31st  December,  1776;  ist  Lieutenant  2d  Rhode 
Island,  1st  January,  1777;  Captain  13th  January,  1777;  transferred 
to  1st  Rhode  Island,  ist  January,  1781  ;  Brevet-Major  30th  Sep- 
tember, 1783;  served  to  3d  November,  17S3.  (I Icitman's  "  Officers 
of  the  Continental  Army.") 

'Captured  by  Gen.  Anthony  Wayne,  July  16,  1779;  but  after 
holding  the  Point  for  three  days,  "  the  works  were  all  destroyed, 
and  the  garrisons  with  the  cannon  and  stores  withdrawn  into  the 
Highlands."  It  required  a  greater  force  to  hold  it  than  could  be 
spared  from  the  army. 


66  THE  DIARY  OF 

July  20,  1779.  Nothing  Remarkable  this 
Day. 

21st.  This  day  we  had  a  fu-de-joy  on  the 
occation  ot  Stoney  point  fort  being  taken  bv 
firing  thirteen  peaces  of  Cannon  I  with  a 
number  of  gentlemen  Dind  with  Peter  Phillips 
Esqr  '  thus  ends  the  day. 

July  22d,  1779.  Nothing  Remarkable 
this  Day. 

23d.  This  morning  a  fleet  appeared  off 
point  Judath  of  37  sail  and  by  night  were  all 
in  the  harbor  of   Newport  Except  one  or  two 

2^th.  This  morning  I  sent  U  Thomas 
Waterman  an  Express  to  head  O''''  with  the  re- 
turns of  my  Reg^  and  a  number  of  letters  and 
in  the  afternoon  had  the  Mortification  to  finde 
that  Two  thirds  of  the  Serg'^  in  the  Reg*  had 
conspired  togeather  and  ript  the  bindings  of 
their    hatts    Contrary    to    orders    I    issued    an 

'  Peter  Phillips  was  a  Deputy  to  the  General  Assembly  of  Rhoc^e 
Island  in  May,  1772,  1773,  1774.  He  was  appointed  on  a  committee 
to  make  enumeration  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  colony  in  1774; 
an  Assistant  in  May,  1775.  In  1775  he  was  appointed  Commissary 
of  the  Army  of  Observation  and  held  commission  as  Deputy  Com- 
missary under  Trumbull  for  some  years  thereafter.  In  1776,  1779, 
and  1780  he  was  an  Assistant  and  appointed  one  of  a  committee  to 
manage  confiscated  estates.  He  later  held  the  position  of  Justice  of 
the  Superior  Court  for  several  years.  A  letter  from  Jonathan  Trum- 
bull, dated  Hartford,  Jan.  20,  1777,  to  Capt.  Asa  Waterman,  says: 
"  You  will  find  Mr.  Phillips  an  e.xceedingly  good  man,  lend  him 
any  assistance  in  your  power." 


■      COLONEL   ISRAEL    ANGELL.  6/ 

order  for  them  to  put  them  on  bv  next  morn- 
ing by  guard  mounting  or  thev  should  be  re- 
duced to  the  ranks  with  out  the  formality  of  a 
Court  Martial  and  tried  for  a  willful  Disobedi- 
ence of  orders. 

25th  July,  1779.  This  morning  by 
Eight  oclock  the  Sergt^  had  all  their  bindings 
on  in  the  afternoon  yesterday  I  reed  a  muti- 
nious  paper  from  one  ot  the  Soldiers  wrote  by  * 
one  Hazzard  and  brought  by  one  Twitchel  and 
last  Evening  Two  Deserters  John  Deruce  and 
Robert  Albro  '  both  made  their  Escape  from 
the  Q""  Guard  Deruce  was  in  Irons  and\inder 
Sentence  of  death,  he  is  supposed  to  have 
been  taken  out  of  his  irons  by  one  Fowler  who 
was  confin'd  with  him.  I  set  out  for  to  see 
the  Genl  at  providence  on  business  this  after- 
noon half  past  4  oclock  went  to  my  own  hous 
tarried  the  night. 

26th  July.  A  Ranev  morning  after  break- 
fast went  off  for  providence  Din'd  with  Gov- 
ernour  Bowen "  finished  my  business  and 
return'd  to  Camp  before  nine  o'clock  in  the 
evening  had  news  to  day  of  the  luiemy  going 
up   North   River  with  all  their  force. 

'  Robert  Albro,  of  Capt.  William  Tews  Company.  (See  my 
"  Revolutionary  Defences  in  Rhode  Island,"  p.  126.) 

''Jabez  Howen,  Ueputy-Governor  of  Rhode  Island  from  May, 
1778,  to  May,  1780,  and  from  May,  1781,  to   May,  1 7S6. 


68  THE   DIARY   OF 

July  27th,  1779.  Clowdy  and  wet  morn- 
ing after  breakfast  1  went  a  fishing  the  Day 
Eanded  with   nothing  remarkable   happening. 

July  28th,  1779.  This  morning  half  after 
Seven  oclock  I  set  off  in  a  boat  with  five  men 
for  warren  arrivd  there  by  half  after  two  in 
the  afternoon  Dined  at  Mr  Luthers  and 
Tarried   there  that  night. 

July  29th.  This  morning  it  Rained  the 
wind  was  Northeast  I  should  have  Set  off  for 
the  Camp,  had  the  Boat  Returned  from  prov- 
idence which  I  sent  up  the  evening  before,  and 
I  got  my  busness  done  but  the  boat  did  not 
return  till  near  night  which  obliged  me  to  Stay 
in  warren   this   night. 

30th.  This  morning  I  got  up  before  sun- 
rise Went  up  to  where  the  Artillery  was 
encampt  there  staid  and  breakfasted  then  re- 
turn'd  to  warren  but  the  wind  shifting  from 
N.  E  to  S  W  could  not  set  off  untill  the  tide 
turn'd  as  the  wind  was  ahead  about  9  o'clock  set 
sail  beat  out  of  warren  River  gaind  the  Bav  but 
the  tide  running  against  the  wind,  and  the  wind 
blowing  very  heavy  Caus't  so  great  a  Swell 
that  the  Spray  of  the  See  broke  over  us  so  that 
we  Should  soon  ben  as  wet  as  water  would 
make  us  I  ordered  the  boat  about  and  Run 
back    to  warren   landed  on    Barrington   Shore 


COLONEL   LSRAEL   ANGELL.  69 

where  I  fell  in  Company  with  Capt  Tew  went 
home  with  him  and  Staid  the  afternoon  and 
night  with  him  as  the  wind  Continued  to  blow 
hard. 

July  the  31st  and  last,  1779.  After 
Breakfasting  at  Capt  Tew  went  to  warren  there 
Reed  the  Disagreeable  news  of  my  Reg'  mu- 
tinying on  which  I  set  off  to  try  to  reach  the 
western  shore  though  the  wind  was  a  head  we 
beat  out  of  warren  river  Stood  over  to  Warwick 
neck  '  and  after  trying  to  beat  Down  to  Barbers 
hights,  was  obliged  to  put  away  for  Greenwich 
harbor  there  Left  my  boat  and  men  got  a  hors 
and  set  off  for  Camp  arriv'd  there  by  Eight 
o'clock  found  all  in  peace  on  my  way  met  Genl 
Stark  and  a  number  of  other  Gentlemen  who 
had  been  down  to  the  Regt  at  the  Request  of 
Gen  Gates,  and  ordered  the  Regt  to  parade 
and  march  by  the  Column  they  all  Reed  the 
genl  pardon  except  George  Millamen  who  was 
ordered  to  be  Sent  prisoner  in  irons  to  provi- 
dence and  was  imeadetly  sent  off. 

August  the  1st,  1779.  A  Raney  morn- 
ing and  Continued  Storming  the  greatest  part 
of  the  Day  but  nothing  Remarkable  happened. 

'  Here  was  an  important  military  post,  and  a  garrison  was  main- 
tained during  the  years  of  the  war.  For  a  more  jjarticular  account 
see  my  "  Revolutionary  Defences  in   Rhode  Island." 


70  THE   DIARY   OF 

August  2d.  Clowdy  and  raw  after  Break- 
fast 1  Col.  Olney  Capt  Hughes  L'  Sayls  all 
Set  off  for  Providence  went  as  far  as  Greenwich 
there  heard  that  the  Council  of  War  was  upon 
busness  and  could  not  attend  to  do  the  busness 
we  were  a  going  upon.  So  I  and  U  Sayls 
went  on  L'  Col.  Olney  and  Capt  Hughes 
tarried  to  dine  in  greenwich  I  parted  with  Lt 
Sayls  at  Greens  Bridg '  I  come  home  and 
tarrid  at  my   own   hous 

August  3d,  1779.  This  morning  was 
very  Raney  but  held  up  a  little  before  noon 
and  I  went  to  Catch  my  hors  to  go  to  Prov- 
idence but  he  broke  out  of  the  pasture  into  the 
woods  and  I  was  not  able  to  catch  him  till  near 
the  middle  of  the  afternoon  then  went  to  Prov- 
idence found  it  necessary  for  me  to  be  in 
Camp  by  the  next  morning  So  set  off  imea- 
detlv  went  to  greenwich  There  tarried  the 
night. 

4th  August.  Left  Greenwich  this  even- 
ing at  day  break  arrived  in  Camp  [  ]  the 
sun  an  hour  high.       Sent  Major  Thayer  off 

'  This  is  sometimes  called  Major  Greene's  Bridge,  and  is  referred 
to  in  records  as  "ye  bridge  called  Major  Greene's  bridge."  In  May, 
1771,  the  town  of  Warwick  petitioned  the  General  Assembly  of 
Rhode  Island  to  grant  a  lottery  to  repair  this  bridge,  it  having  been 
carried  away  by  a  freshet.  It  is  described  in  the  petition  as  over  the 
Pawtucket  River,  about  six  miles  above  the  falls.  The  present 
bridge  at  Pontiac,  R.I.,  serves  to  mark  approximately  its  location. 


COLONEL  ISRAEL  AN  CELL,  71 

with  Capt  Coggeshall  Olney  and  Ensign 
Wheaton  '  for  Providence  as  Evidence  against 
George  Milliman  who  was  to  be  tried  this  day 
for  Mutiny  in  the  afternoon  there  Come  a 
man  to  my  Marquee  who  informed  me  that  he 
belonged  to  the  galley  which  lav  below  Provi- 
dence and  had  been  out  by  Block  Island  in  the 
Galleys  boat  and  taken  three  fisherman  boats 
who  were  all  on  their  way  to  Providence  and 
had  Calld  at  the  Shore  to  give  me  intelligence 
I  went  and  [  ]  one  of  the  prisoners  who  in- 
formed me  that  the  Tory  fleet  intended  to 
Come  off  a  plundering  on  point  Judath  this 
night  or  tomorrow  night  Thus  ends  the 
Day. 

5th  August,  1779.  Last  night  I  Rec'd 
an  Express  from  the  Adj'.  General  that  the 
Court  to  try  Millamen  wanted  Eight  non  com- 
missioned ofiicers  and  Soldiers  of  my  Regt  as 
Evidences  which  I  sent  off  about  midnight  this 
was  a  Clear  and  pleasant  morning  and  the 
Tory's  Did  not  trouble  us  last  Night  as  we  had 
Reason  to  Expect  by  the  ace'  Rec'd  the  Even- 

'  Joseph  Wheaton,  appointed    Ensign  by  General  Assembly  of 
Rhode  Island,  June,    1780,  commission  to  date  from  May  i,  1779. 
"General    Sullivan's  Orderly  Book,  Headquarters,   Trovidence, 
March  3    1779,"  contains  this  entry: 

"  Lieut.  Joseph  Wheaton  (of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Peabody's  State 
Regiment)  is  appointed  Ensign  in  Col.  Israel  Angells  Continental 
Regiment." 


72  THE   DIARY   OF 

ing  before  I  tarrid  in  Camp  till  after  Dinner 
then  Rode  all  round  the  neck  called  Boston 
neck   Returned  to  Camp  before  Sun  Set. 

6th  August,  1779.  Early  this  morning 
Major  Gardner  Come  to  Camp  and  brought 
news  that  our  fleet  that  went  down  to  the  East- 
ward tc  penobscot  had  landed  their  Land 
forces  and  taken  the  Brittish  Batteries  at  the 
same  time  the  fleet  had  block't  in  their  shipping 
and  the  enemy  had  Sunk  all  their  Ships  and 
Surrendered  themselves  prisoners  to  the  amount 
of  Two  thousand  men  Maj'  Thayer  \  Returned 
to  Camp  from  Providence  last  night  about  ten 
o'clock  nothing  remarkable  happened  till  in 
the  evening  there  came  a  Deserter  from  off" 
Conanicutt  Island  from  the  enemy  who  Swam 
over  to  Dutch  Island  from  thence  to  the  neck, 
he  was  so  weak  when  he  landed  that  he  could 
not  stand  for  Some  time  having  Swam  near 
three  miles  [all  this  days  journal  to  the  mark' 
happened  the  morning  before  but  was  omitted 
being  Entered  through  mistake]  This  day 
ended  with  nothing  More  remarkable  than 
what  has  been  related. 

August  7th,  1779.  Clowdy  morning 
and  begun  to  rain  and  rained  very  hard  and 
continued  raining  all  the  Dav  and  was  as  Rainv  a 
night  as  was  Ever  known  with  very  hard  thunder, 


COLONEL  ISRAEL  ANGELL. 


73 


8th.  A  Raney  morning  and  perhaps  never 
more  rain  fell  in  one  night  than  there  did  last 
night  it  cleared  off  to  day  U  Col.  Olnev  Com 
to  Camp  to  day  nothing  remarkable  happened 
during  the  Day. 

August  9th,  1779.  Clowdy  and  foggy 
this  morning  Col  Olney  Set  off  for  providence 
to  attend  the  Court  Martial  the  fogg  broke 
away  it  was  a  fine  day  I  Spent  part  of  this  day 
a  fishing  at  night  we  Reed  news  of  Col  Tal- 
butts  having  taken  Stanton  Hazzard  '  the  Tory 
pirat  from  Rhode  Island  and  Carried  him  into 
Newlondon 

10th.      Nothing  Remarkable  this  day. 

llth.      Nothing  remarkable. 

August  12th,  1779.  Continues  the 
Same  as  yesterday. 

13th.      Peace  and  Quietness. 

14th.  This  Day  sent  a  boat  to  Point  ju- 
dath   for  a  wounded   man    [  ]    Jacksons 

Reg'  to  carrv  him  to  [  ]  his  father  havin 

come  after  him  living  in  Dighton  Showering 
wet  weather   Eand   this   journal. 

'  For  portrait  see  "The  Hazard  Family  of  Rhode  Island,  1635- 
1894,"  by  Caroline  E.  Robinson,  also  genealogical  account. 

The  historical  statements  in  this  volume  relating  to  Stanton  Haz- 
ard are  critically  considered  by  Sidney  S.  Rider,  A.M.,  in  "  Book 
Notes,"  Vol.  XI7I..  No.  10,  where  is  also  a  letter  regarding  this  event, 
from  Silas  Talbot  to  General  (jates. 


74  THE  DIARY   OF 


PART    FOUR. 


THE  period  covered  by  this  part  of  the 
diary  is  from  October  3,  1779,  to  De- 
cember 13,  1779. 

During  this  time  the  Rhode  Island  Regiment 
was  encamped  on  Barbers  Height,  in  North 
Kingstown,  in  Rhode  Island,  until  after  the 
evacuation  of  Newport  by  the  British,  when  all 
the  Continental  troops  in  Rhode  Island  were 
ordered  to   the  westward. 

Before  taking  up  the  march,  however.  Colonel 
Angell  spent  a  short  time  with  his  family  at 
home,  and  joined  his  regiment  at  Danbury, 
Conn.,  from  which  place  the  regiment  marched 
to  Morristown,  New  Jersey.  The  diary  is 
prefaced  as  follows  : 

A  Journal  Continued  from  2"''  of  October  1779 

Encamped  on  Barbers  Hights  North  kingstown 

Eanded  13""  December 

In  Morristown  Mountains 

October   3d,    1779.      Plesant  weather  and 


COLONEL  LSRAEL  AXGELL.  75 

Nothing  Remarkable  happend  Except  the 
Stopping  ot  two  Small  Sloops  in  Newtown 
loaded  with  Rum  Sugar  and  wine,  bound  to 
Connecticutt,  and  as  there  was  an  Embargo 
laid  on  those  articals,  and  not  to  be  Carried 
out  of  the  State,  it  was  my  Duty  to  Stop  them, 
untill  they  had  a  pass  from  that  authority  that 
past  the  non  Exportation  act,  I  wrote  a  letter 
to  the  Governor,  Sent  it  by  one  of  the  Gentle- 
men. 

Octr.  4th.  Warm  and  plesant  weather, 
the  Gentlemen  I  Sent  to  the  Governor  Re- 
turned with  a  permit  from  govenor,  or  rather 
a  Recommen  for  them  to  pass  on  in  their 
voige,  this  afternoon  I  was  obliged  to  Stop  a 
Sloop  going  from  this  port  to  Seaconk  with 
twelve  thousand  weight  of  Chease,  but  the 
Gentleman  produced  an  order  from  the  board 
of  war  in  boston  to  purchase  Chease  for  the 
Navey,  on  which  I  let  him  proceed  on  with 
Said  Chease,  Ebenezer  West'  Formily  a  Lieu- 

'  Ebenezer  West  was  chosen  Ensign  of  the  2d  Rhode  Island 
Battalion,  October,  1776.  Of  this  battalion  Israel  Angell  was 
Lieutenant-Colonel.  (Rhode  Island  Colonial  Records,  Vol.  VIII., 
p.  II.) 

In  February,  1777,  West  was  chosen  ist  Lieutenant  in  the  same 
battalion,  Israel  Angell  being  advanced  to  the  rank  of  Colonel. 
(Rhode  Island  Colonial  Records,  Vol.  VIII.,  p.  126.)  Ileitman 
gives  his  military  record  as  follows:  Ensign  nth  Continental  In 
fantry,  ist  January  to  31st  December,  1776;  ist  Lieutenant  2d 
Rhode  Island,  nth  February,  1777;    cashiered  9th  July,   177S. 


•]6  THE  DIARY  OF 

tenant  in  my  Reg^  Came  to  Camp  this  Even- 
ing to  See  his  two  Sones  in  my  Reg'. 

October  5th,  1779.  A  Stormy  morning, 
with  the  wind  Northeast,  and  had  Raind,  the 
[  ]ratist  part  of  the  Night,  and  Continued 
Storming  the  whole  Day 

October  6th,  1779.  A  Clowdy  weet 
morninor.  1  had  an  Invitation  to  dine  with 
Govenor  Bradford,  General  Varnum  and  Col 
Thomas  Potter  '  and  a  number  of  Gentlemen 
of  the  Superior  Court  at  Little  Rest.-  I  Col. 
Olney  Capt  Coggeshall  Olney  Capt  Stephen 
Olney.  Set  off  and  dind  with  them  and  Re- 
turnd  in  the  Evening,  and  perhaps  it  never 
raind  much  harder,  we  received  News  of  Count 

'  Col.  Thomas  Potter,  chosen  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  the  2d 
Regiment  of  Militia  in  Kings  County,  December,  1776.  In  March, 
1777,  his  appointment  was  revoked  for  the  reason  that  it  had  been 
made  by  mistake;  at  the  same  time  he  was  dismissed  from  service 
as  Major,  the  time  of  the  enlistment  of  the  regiment  to  which  he 
was  appointed  having  expired.  (Rhode  Island  Colonial  Records, 
Vol.  VIII.,  p.  180.) 

At  the  March  session  of  the  General  Assembly,  1777,  he  was 
appointed  to  represent  South  Kingstown  on  a  committee  for  num- 
bering all  persons  able  to  bear  arms.  In  August  of  the  same  year 
he  was  appointed  one  of  the  recruiting  officers  for  South  Kings- 
town.    (Rhode  Island  Colonial  Records,  Vol.  VIII.,  p.  180.) 

In  May,  1779,  he  was  chosen  Colonel  of  the  3d  Regiment  of 
Militia,  in  the  County  of  Kings.  Probably  the  same  Thomas  Potter 
who  was  1st  Lieutenant  of  the  Independent  Company  in  South 
Kingstown,  called  the  Kingstown  Reds,  in  1776. 

-  Little  Rest  Hill,  in  South  Kingstown,  where  the  Courts  were 
held. 


COLONEL   LSRAEL   ANGELL.  77 

De  Estaing  being  at  georgia,  and  had  landed 
five  thousand  troops  the  10'''  Sept 

Octr.  7th,  1779.  This  morning  it  cleard 
off,  and  after  Breakfast  I  and  Doctor  Tennv 
Set  off  for  greenwich  Dind  there,  and  after 
finishing  my  busness,  went  to  Judg  Northupts,' 
for  Shoes  for  my  Reg^  from  thence  to  Camp, 
they  informd  me  in  Camp,  that  there  had 
been  three  large  Ships  Seen  off,  without  block 
Island  but  before  night  Disapeard 

Octr.  8th,  1779.  Cold  and  Windy  I  Sent 
a  boat  to  warren  this  Day. 

In  the  Afternoon  we  Rec''.  a  report  that 
Count  DEstaing  was  at  Sandy  Hook,  and  had 
taken  all  the  Brittish  Shippen  and  men  in 
Georgia,  and  that  there  was  one  hundred  and 
fifty  Sail  Comming  Down  the  Sound  from  New 
York,  Doctor  Tenny"  Come  from  Greenwich 
this  Evening  and  brought  me  a  letter  from 
Col".  Ward  -^  that  the  plan  of  the  Barracks  was 

'  John  Northup,  one  of  the  Justices  of  the  Court  of  Common 
Picas  for  Kings  County,  R.I.  He  was  one  of  the  Committee  of 
Safety,  a  niemlier  of  the  General  Assembly,  and  actively  engaged  in 
the  affairs  of  the  State  during  the  war. 

''Tenney,  Samuel  (R.I.),  Surgeon's  Mate  of  Gridley's  Regiment, 
Massachusetts  Artillery,  June  to  December,  1775;  Surgeon  lith 
Continental  Infantry,  1st  January  to  31st  December,  I776;  Sur- 
geon 2d  Rhode  Island,  1st  January,  1777;  transferred  to  1st  Rhode 
Island,  1st  January,  17S1,  and  served  to  close  of  war.  (Died  Cth 
February,  1816.)     (Ileitman's  "Officers  of  the  Continental  Army.") 

^  Lieutenant-Colonel  .Samuel   Ward    (born   \ov.   17,   I75(>;    dii-i 


yS  THE  DIARY  OF 

Come  and  Desired  me  to  Come  up  to  green- 
wich  as  Soon  as  possible.      Thus  Eand  the  day 

9th  October,  1779.  A  plesant  Morning 
and  after  breakfast  I  and  Col.  Olney  Set  oft 
for  greenwich  to  Consult  on  building  the  bar- 
racks, but  Col".  Greene  was  unwell  and  Could 
not  attend,  after  we  had  been  at  Greenwich,  I 
went  to  Col"  Greens  Dind  with  him,  then  went 
to  my  own  hous  found  all  well. 

Octr.  10th,  1779.  This  morning  after 
breakfast  Set  off  for  Providence  to  See  the 
General,  Concerning  the  barracks  from  thence 
up  into  Wainscott  to  my  fathers,  from  thence 
home  where   I   arrived  by  9  "Clock 

Octr.  11th,  1779.  This  morning  after 
breakfast  I  set  off  for  Camp  when  I  come  to 
Greenwich  heard  that  there  was  A  fleet  got  into 
Rhode  Island  from  New  York,  when  I  Come 
to  Camp  found  there  had  57  Sail  arrivd,  among 
which  were  34  Ship,  they  appeard  to  be  all 
Empty,  two  of  the  privateer  boats  boarded  one 
of  the  vessels  the  men  imeadetly  ran  down  into 
the  hold,  but  before  they  Could  git  her  away, 
Come  two  barges  and  they  were  forst  to 
Leave  her,  the  muster  Master  Come  to  Camp 

Aug.  16,  1832)  of  the  1st  Rhode  Island  Regiment.  He  was  retired 
when  the  two  Rhode  Island  regiments  were  consolidated.  He  com- 
manded a  battalion  of  colored  troops  at  the  Battle  of  Rhode  Island, 
August,  1778.    A  portrait  is  in  Stone's  "  French  Allies,"  opp.  p.  86. 


COLONEL   ISRAEL   AN  CELL.  jg 

with  me  and  Cap'  Hughes.      Thus   Eands  the 
Day  — 

Octr.  1 2th,  1779.  This  Morning  after 
breakfast  my  Reg'  was  Mustered  and  I  Set  oft 
with  the  mustermaster  and  Major  Thayer  tor 
Greenwich  where  I  expected  to  meet  the  Gen- 
eral from  Providence,  but  he  did  not  Come, 
and  after  Dining  with  the  Governor,  I  Returned 
to  Camp  Maj"  Thayer  went  on  for  providence. 

October  i3th,  1779.  Clowdy  weet  morn- 
ing, as  it  had  Raind  the  greatest  part  of  the 
night  past.  L'  Col"  Olney  went  oft"  for  provi- 
dence this  morning  after  breakfast,  in  the 
afternoon  I  Sent  a  boat  to  Reconiter  along 
Connanicutt  to  see  what  discoveries  they  Could 
make  the  people  landed  below  Dutch  Island 
and  none  come  to  molest  them,  then  they 
landed  above  and  went  Near  half  a  Cross  the 
Island  Drove  down  Some  horses  with  a  view  of 
bringing  Some  of  them  oft',  but  the  Enemy 
fired  on  them  with  a  field  peace,  and  imeadetly 
Sent  a  party  of  light  troops,  which  obliged  them 
to  Come  ofi^  without  aney  of  the  horses,  they 
Rowed  along  up  the  island  —  keepeing  in  with 
the  Shore,  the  Knemy  pursued  and  begun  a  fire, 
which  was  Returnd  by  the  boats  Crew  but  at 
Such  a  distance  that  no  Execution  was  done  ou 
I\ither  Side,  there  was   imeadetly  another   parr\' 


8o  THE  DIAKY  OF 

of  the  Enemy  Come  up  the  Island  of  Near  loo 
men,  but  our  people  Come  off  with  their  boat 
and  thus  they  had  a  march  of  Six  or  Seven 
miles  for  nothing,  I  Rec''  an  Express  from 
General  Gates,  Desiring  me  to  keep  a  good 
look  out,  and  give  him  the  Earliest  information 
of  any  movement  of  the  Enemy,  the  Express 
informed  me  of  an  accident  that  befell  one  of 
my  men  who  Was  Sent  after  one  Clefford  a 
Deserter.  Serj'  Chaffe,'  and  John  Gould  were 
Sent  to  take  S''  Clefford,  they  took  a  boy  an 
Inhabitant  with  them  to  show  them  the  hous. 
they  knocked  at  the  Door  but  Could  not  be 
Admitted  Enterence,  they  imeadetly  broke 
open  the  Door,  this  Clefford  run  up  Stairs, 
Goold  followed  him  Clefford  fird  upon  Gould 
with  a  pistol,  the  boy  that  was  with  them  run 
off  Screeming.  Chaffe  followed  as  is  reported, 
in  the  morning  Goolds  hat  was  found  in  the 
hous  with  a  ball  fired  through  it  but  gould 
was  not  found  when  the  Express  Came  away. 
Chaffe  was  gone  to  the  General  to  know  what 
further  to  Do.     Thus  Eands  the  Day. 

October  14th,  1779.  This  Day  we 
Rec''.  Several  accounts  Concerning  Goulds  being 
wounded  or  killd,  but  before  night  we  heard  he 


'  Probably  Sergeant   Noah  Chaffee,  of  Capt.  Coggeshall  Ohiey's 
Company. 


COLONEL   LSRAEL  ANGELL.  8  I 

had  got  to  providence,  and  at  Night  Major 
Thayer  Returnd  and  brought  the  news  of  Chaf- 
fev  and  Gould  Returning.  Gould  had  Rec''  a 
ball  in  his  head  as  we  had  heard,  but  not  to 
break  his  Skull,  Maj'  Thayer  allso  intormd  me 
that  we  were  under  Marching  orders,  and 
brought  an  order  from  the  General  to  me  tor  to 
Call  in  all  my  out  Commands,  L^  Col  Olney 
Returned  from  providence  this  Evening,  thus 
Hand  the  Day. 

October  'l5th,  1779.  Clowdy  and  Cold 
with  a  high  wind  from  the  Northeast,  Lt. 
Macomber'  and  Ensign  Roggers""  with  a  party 
of  men  landed  on  Connanicutt  last  night,  and 
went  over  all  the  upper  part  of  the  Island,  but 
Could  not  take  aney  of  the  Inhabitants  Except 
Old  men  and  women,  without  it  was  one 
Hegron    whome    they    brought    oH^,   we    have 

'  Macomber,  Ebenezer  (R.  I.),  ist  Lieutenant  of  Richmond's 
Rhode  Island  Regiment,  19th  August  to  November,  1776;  1st  Lieu- 
tenant of  Tallman's  Rhode  Island  State  Regiment,  12th  December, 
1776;  1st  Lieutenant  2d  Rhode  Island,  12th  June,  1777;  transferred 
to  1st  Rhode  Island,  ist  January,  1781 ;  Captain,  17th  March,  17S2, 
and  served  to  17th  March,  1783.  (Died  5th  April,  1829.)  (Heit- 
man's  "  Officers  t  f  the  Continental  Army.") 

*  Rogers,  John  (R.  I.),  Ensign  2d  Rhode  Island,  ist  May,  1779; 
wounded  at  Connecticut  Farms,  23d  June,  1 780;  transferred  to  1st 
Rhode  Island,  1st  January,  1781  ;  Lieutenant,  August,  17S1,  and 
served  to  close  of  war;  Military  Storekeeper  United  Slates  Army, 
9th  March,  1819;  honorably  discharged  1st  June,  1821.  (Ileit- 
man's  "Officers  of  the  Continental  Army.") 


82  THE  DIARY   OF 

been    Employed    the   Day    in    making    Every 
preparation   tor  marching 

October  16th,  1779.  This  morning  was 
windy  and  Cold  as  had  ben  before,  one  M'' 
Cole  an  inhabitant  Come  with  a  Complaint  to 
me  this  morning  that  he  had  ben  Abused  by 
two  of  my  Soldiers  the  night  past,  by  their 
laying  Violent  hands  on  him  throwing  him 
down,  and  falling  upon  him  the  Regiment  was 
imeadetly  paraded  and  the  Villins  found  and 
Confind,  a  Court  Orderd  to  try  them,  and 
were  both  trid  one  of  them  ordered  to  be  whipt 
one  hundred  lashes,  viz,  John  Thomas,  the 
other  Daniel  barney  '  a  Corprol,  was  Reduced 
and  floggd  fifty  Stripes  — 

October  17th,  1779.  This  day  was  very 
fine  weather  I  was  Exceeding  busily  employed 
all  the  forepard  of  the  Day  with  pay  abstracts, 
for  both  Continental  and  State,  and  after  fin- 
ishing my  busness,  went  with  Col"  Olney  and 
Major  Thayer  to  dine  with  Col"  John  Gardner, 
there  was  a  Ship  of  28  or  30  guns,  a  brigg  of 
16  went  into  Newport  Harbour  and  a  Schoner 
Supposed  to  be  a  prize  to  the  brigg  one  of  the 
brittis  Friggats  w^ent  up  the  river  towards  the 
Eand  of  Conanicut  thus   eands   the   Day. 

'  Daniel  Barney,  formerly  private  in  Capt.  William  Humphrey's 
Company. 


COLONEL   ISRAEL  AN  CELL.  83 

18th  October,  1779.  No  movements  of 
the  Enemy  this  Day  to  be  discovered  Major 
Thayer  Capt.  Hughes,  and  U  Sayles — all  went 
to  providence  this  Day,  Hews  and  Sayles  went 
in  the  Morning  Major  Thayer  went  after  Din- 
ner with  me  as  far  as  the  ten  rod  road,"  Where 
Col"  Dyers  Reg'  of  Militia  met  for  a  review, 
as  this  Day  was  a  Day  that  the  Militia  were 
mustered  in  every  County  in  the  State  I  re- 
turned  to   Camp  in   the   Evening. 

1 9th  October.  Nothing  Remarkable  hap- 
pened this  Day,  a  forty  Gun  Ship  went  up  the 
River  towards  the  upper  Eand  of  Connanicut 

October  20th,  1779.  This  Day  I  Sent  a 
boat  to  Reconiter  Connanicut,  to  See  what  Dis- 
coveries was  to  be  made  Ensign  wheaton  went 
in  the  boat,  and  brought  off  one  Jonathan 
Greene  a  very  Sincible  young  man  who  lived 
within  the  lines,  who  informed  us  that  the 
Enemy  was  a  going  to  avacuate  the  Island,  had 
got  all  their  heav^y  baggage  and  Cannon  on 

'  The  ten-rod  road  is  a  well-known  highway  in  North  Kingstown. 
It  derives  its  name  from  being  originally  laid  out  ten  rods  wide,  but 
since  its  original  lay-out  it  has  shrunk  considerably  in  width,  for 
abutting  owners  have  been  unable  to  resist  the  temptation  to  extend 
front  walls  and  fences,  and  what  was  once  a  part  of  the  common 
highway  is  now  included  in  the  front  yards  of  abutters. 

The  road  was  laid  out  from  Updike's  Newtown  (VVickford) 
westerly  through  the  town  of  Exeter  into  Voluntown,  Conn. 


84  THE   DIARY   OF 

board,  had  burnt  their  platt  forms  in  the  North 
battry,  I  saw  the  Smoak  yesterday  but  forgot  to 
mention  it  Imeadetly  Sent  an  Express  to  Gen- 
eral Gates,  by  the  movement  of  the  Enemys 
Ships  it  was  thought  they  were  a  going,  this 
Evening. 

21st  Octr.  1799.  The  Enemys  Ships 
Remain  in  their  former  position,  this  Day  Col 
Olney  Set  off  for  Providence  being  So  lame 
as  to  be  unfit  for  Duty,  but  meeting  the  Gen- 
eral, who  informed  him  that  the  Reg',  would 
go  on  the  Island  before  they  Marched  to  the 
westward,  he  Sent  back  his  Servant  went  to 
providence,  the  Gen'.  Stark  Come  to  the 
Camp  just  before  Sun  Set,  there  was  a  very 
heavey  firing  off  at  Sea  this  Afternoon,  an- 
other was  a  brigg  lay  off  point  judath '  firing 
Signal  Gunns  till  Dark  there  was  a  Great  num- 
ber of  the  Inhabitants  in  Camp  this  Day 

October  22nd,  1779.  This  Day  being 
the  Day  that  we  defeated  tht  Hessians  at  Red 
banks  in  1777,  the  officers  of  the  Regiment 
provided  a  Dinner  and  all  Dind  togeather, 
with  a  great  number  of  the  Inhabitants,  as 
there  was  Some  hundreds  of  people  out  of  the 
Country,  on  the  hill  looking  out  to  See  the 
fleet  go  off  but  the  wind  not  being  fair  pre- 

'  Point  Judith,  at  the  entrance  to  Narragansett  Bay. 


COLONEL   LSRAEL    AXGELL.  85 

vented  their  Sailing,  they  Continued  burning 
the  platforms  in  their  forts,  and  Some  hay 
they  had  on  Conanicut,  yesterday  they  Set  the 
light  hous  '  on  fire  about  Eleven  "Clock,  though 
I  forgot  to  mention  it  in  my  journal  the  troops 
burned  the  Effigy  of  Count  Dunop  this  Day 
and  raised   a  liberty  pole  near  fore  Score  feet 

high- 
October  the  23rd,  1779.  A  Strong  South 
Wind   this   Day  and   the    fleet    Remained  the 
Same  as   Yesterday,   and  the  hill   all   Covered 
with  people  Looking  out  to  See  the  fleet  Sail 

October  24th.  Cloudy  and  weet,  with 
the  wind  Northerly,  there  appeard  a  great 
Movement  among  the  fleet,  this  morning  but 
the  wind  Soon  Died  away  and  begun  to  weet, 
Stephen  Phillips  and  Thomas  Hearrendeen,^ 
two  Villins  Deserted  from  my  Reg',  last  Even- 
ing, and  was  Sent  after  this  Morning :  a  great 
multitude  of  the  Inhabitants  Assembled  here 
this  Day  to  See  the  fleet  go  ofi^  their  Signal 
Gun  was  fired  and  the  fleet  made  preparation 
for  Sailing  but  the  wind  died  away  and  they 
remained  at  their  Station,  1  sent  a  boat  to 
Conanicut,  and  two  of  the    Inhabitants  Come 

'  Beaver  Tail  Lighthouse,  at  the  southern  end  of  Conanicut 
Island. 

"Thomas  Ilerc-nden,  of  Cai.t.  Cofjgeshall  Ohicy's  Co. 


86  THE  DIARY   OF 

off,  who  informd  us  that  they  Enemy  was  to 
have  saild  to  Day,  had  the  wind  admited  of  it, 
in  the  afternoon  there  was  a  heavy  Cannonade 
up  the  Sound,  and  before  Night  there  Came 
five  Ships  Two  briggs  and  one  Schooner  out 
of  the  Sound  and  went  into   Newport  harbour 

October  25th,  1779.  A  fine  Plesant 
Morning  and  the  fleet  Remains  the  Same  as 
yesterday,  about  the  middle  of  the  Day  the 
Enemy  begun  to  burn  their  Barracks  and  great 
movements  was  Seen  among  them,  there  was  a 
great  number  of  people  in  Camp  to  See  the 
fleet  Sail,  among  the  Crowd  was  Governor 
Greens  lady  and  daughter,  the  Britans  was 
busy  in  Imbarking  all  the  afternoon  by  Sunset 
was  all  on  board,  and  the  fleet  Set  Sail  just 
after  Sunset  before  Eleven  "Clock  in  the  evening 
was  all  without  the  light  hous  and  we  making 
preparation  to  take  posession  of  the  town  ' 

October  26th,  1779.  This  morning  at 
four  o  Clock  all  the  troops  paraded  and 
marched  for  Roome  point  ■"  Where  they  were 
to  Embark  on  board  their  boats,  the  wind 
being  very  high  and  a  Great  Swell  in  the  bay 
I  Expected  the  boats  would  all  have  ben  lost 

'  Newport,  R.I. 

'  Romes  Point  is  north  of  Barber's  Height,  at  the  entrance  to 
Bissels  Cove,  in  North  Kingstown.  It  lies  nearly  opposite  the 
north  end  of  Conanicut  Island. 


COLONEL  ISRAEL  AN  CELL.  8/ 

with  the  men  in  them  but  With  Great  Diffi- 
culty the  boats  got  to  Conanicut,  where  two 
of  them  filld  and  were  wrackt,  in  deed  they 
were  all  nearly  full  of  water  when  they  Landed. 
I  my  Self  was  in  a  large  boat  with  a  deck  more 
than  half  her  length,  and  it  was  with  great  Dif- 
ficulty that  we  kept  the  boat  above  water,  un- 
till  we  turnd  the  North  Eand  of  Conanicut,  — 
then  we  run  nearly  before  the  wind,  and  arrivd 
in  Newport  harbour  half  past  Eight  "Clock  in 
the  morning  but  the  regiment  marched  on  Co- 
nanicut to  the  ferry  where  I  provided  boats  to 
bring  the  Same  off  and  all  Got  Safe  into  the 
town  before  Night ;  the  Shops  was  all  Shut, 
and  ordered  to  be  kept  So  after  the  General 
Come  in.  the  Inhabitants  flockt  in  in  great 
multitudes.     Thus  Eands  this  Day' 

October  27th,  1779.  A  fine  plesant 
Morning,  and  Continued  So  the  day.  I  Spent 
this  Day  in  Reconitering  the  Town,  and 
works  which  was  destroyed  by  the  Enemy,  and 
Sending  to  get  over  the  Remainder  of  my 
baggage. 

October  28th.  a  Clear  plesant  morning 
but  Cool,  alter  breakfast  I  road  with  the  Gen- 
eral Round  all   the   Enemy  Lines  where  I  Saw 

'The  date  of  the  evacuation  of  Newport  is  erroneously  stated  by 
Stone,  in  his  "  French  Allies,"  as  occurring  on  the  27th. 


88  THE  DIARY  OF 

Some  of  the  Beautifullest  works'  that  I  Ever 
Saw  in  my  life,  all  my  Camp  equipage  arrived 
this  afternoon 

October  29th,  1 779.  A  plesant  Day  and 
Nothing  Remarkable  happend  this  Day :  I 
was  the  Officer  of  the  Day. 

30th.  Remarkable  warm  and  Plesant, 
Nothing  Remarkable  happend  this  Day.  1 
dind  with   General  Stark 

31st.  Plesant  Weather,  this  Morning  I 
took  my  boat  and  went  over  to  Conanicut  there 
Reconiterd  the  Island  viewd  the  forts  Which 
the  enemy  had  built  found  them  Strong  but 
Small,  after  Dining  with  Col"  Levingston  Re- 
turnd  to  Newport  thus  Eands  the  Month  and 
Day, 

November  1st,  1779.  fine  plesant 
weather  for  the  Season,  Nothing  Remarkable 
happened  this   Day 

2nd.  Cold  this  morning  and  raind  a  little, 
wind  very  high,  at  north,  I  was  the  officer  of 
the  Day  went  to  Brintons  neck  "  viewed  the 
Sod  and  Turf  prepaird  there  by  the  brittish 
troops  to  burn  in  lieu  of  wood,  there  was  two 

'A  detailed  account  of  the  fortifications  in  and  around  New- 
port may  be  found  in  my  "  Revolutionary  Defences  in  Rhode  Is- 
land." 

^  Brenton's  Neck,  the  present  neck  of  land  which  terminates  at 
Fort  Adams,  Newport,  R.I. 


COLONEL  LSRAEL  ANGELL.  89 

Sorts,  one  Cut  in  Strips  out  of  a  bog  Swamp, 
the  others  was  dug  out  of  a  pond  place,  workt 
the  Same  as  morter,  then  made  into  three 
Squair  peaces  about  one  foot  long  Laid  on  the 
ground  in  rows  and  dryed  then  Set  up  on  eand 
tour  togeather  and  one  atop  of  them,  after  that 
they  were  pilld  in  roos  from  whence  they  were 
taken  and  Carted  Some  Distance  and  there 
Corded  up  in  rows  to  Stand  till  they  were 
wanted  for  use.  the  Day  Eanded  with  nothing 
Remarkable 

November  3rd,  1779.  Cold  raw  and 
uncomfortable  this  morning  Col"  Greens  Reg', 
went  over  upon  Goat  Island.'  to  take  thier 
Quarters  theere,  Joseph  Congdon^  a  Deserter 
was  brought  into  the  Garrison  last  Evening  and 
was  Sent  to  the  main  Guard  this  Morning,  he 
was  taken  up  near  Newlondon,  the  Dav  Con- 
tinued Cold,  I  and  Col  Greene  went  over  to 
Goat  Island  and  Returned  by  Evening 

4th.  Nothing  Remarkable  happend  this 
Day 

November  5th,  6th,  1779.    This  morn 
ing    we    Rec"^    orders  for   all  the    Continental 

'  Goat  Island  is  in  Newport  harbor;  the  Xaval  Torpedo  Station 
is  located  on  the  island. 

*  Joseph  Congdon,  of  Lieut.-Col.  Jeremiah  Olney's  Company. 
His  name  appears  in  the  roll  of  Capt.  Stephen  Olney's  Company, 
at  Vorktown,  as  having  jiartieipated  in  that  engagement. 


go  THE  DIARY  OF 

Troops  to  March  to  the  westward,  but  the 
wind  blew  So  hard  that  we  Could  not  Cross  the 
bay,  in  the  afternoon,  I  Set  off  for  home,  got  to 
bristol  ferry'  and  the  wind  blu  So  hard  that  I 
Could  not  Cross,  went  to  M'  Durfeys  there 
Staid  the  night,  in  the  morning  Crost  went  to 
Warren  breakfasted,  then  went  to  Providence 
there  Dind  then  went  to  my  own  hous  found 
all  well 

Novr.  7th.  Still  and  Plesant  Morning 
Nothing  Remarkable  happend  this  Day  I 
tarried  at  home 

Novr.  —  8th  —  1779.  this  Morning 
after  breakfast  I  Set  off  for  Camp,  arrivd  in 
Greenwich  by  twelve  "Clock  Dind  with  Gen'. 
Stark,  then  went  to  the  Reg',  which  lay  about 
one  Mile  and  half  from  Greenwich  westward 
found  all  well, 

9th.  This  morning  Rec''.  Orders  for  Col 
Livingstons  Reg^  Col  Webbs  and  Col  Jack- 
sons,  to  march  the  Next  morning  at  Sunrise. 
My  Reg'.  Col".  Greens  and  Col.  Sherburnes  the 
day  after  at  Sunrise,  this  Day  we  were  all  a 
making  out  our  Returns  for  Cloathing  blankets 
&c. 

Novr.  10th,  1779.  This  morning  Col" 
Webbs  Reg',    marched  off.     Col".  Levingstons 

'  At  the  northern  end  of  the  island  of  Rhode  Island. 


COLONEL   LSRAEL   AN  CELL.  91 

Did  not  march  till  the  afternoon  Col  Jack- 
sons  marched  the  Day  before   from  providence 

this  Night  we  Spent  till  two  "Clock  next 
morning  delivering  out  Clothing  to  the  Officers 

Novr.  nth — ,  1779.  This  Morning  was 
Exceedin":  Cold  wj  finished  Deliverintr  out  the 
Cloathing  to  the  Soldiers  by  Eleven  "Clock, 
and  Marched  off  the  Ground,  by  twelve  I  tar- 
ried untill  all  the  waggons  were  got  under  wav 
then  Gave  the  Charge  ot  the  Reg',  to  the  Major, 
and  went  to  Greenwich  Dind  with  Col  Greene, 
then  went  to  See  mv  familey,  the  Major  re- 
turnd  vesterday  from  Visiting  his  familey,  and 
Col  Olnev  wen'  tor  providence,  tor  nine  or  ten 
Days 

i2th  November,  1779.  This  Morning 
Ensign  Roggers  '  Come  to  mv  hous  going  in 
Search  of  benoni  Bishop"  and  Robert  Gillev^ 
two  Deserters,  after  breakfast  Ensign  Roggers 
Set  off,  and  before  Noon  Returnd  with  the 
Above  Said  Deserters,  and  went  on  after  the 
Reg',  with  them  Carried  them  to  Vollentown 
there  Deliverd  them  up  to  the  Reg',  and  re- 
turnd 

13th  Novr.,  1779.    this  Day  Ensign  Rog- 

'John  Rogers,  appointed  Ensign  by  General  Assembly  of  Rhode 
Island,  June,  1780,  commission  to  date  from  May  I,  1779. 
*  Henoni  Bishop,  of  Major  Thayer's  Company. 
'  Robert  Gilly,  of  Major  Thayer's  Company. 


92  THE  DIARY   OF 

gers  Returnd,  and  went  on  for  Smithfield,  I 
went  to  Scituate  for  to  buy  Some  beef  Returnd 
at  Evening  Serj'  Noah  Chaffe  Come  to  My 
hous  this  Day  after  Some  Deserters,  and  went 
to  providence,  by  water  and  a  Young  man 
Saw  Samuel  Grant  '  a  Deserter  from  my  Reg' 
I  Sent  them  imeadetly  in  Search  after  him  and 
they  took  him  brought  him  to  my  hous  by 
one  oClock  the  Next  Morning,  freelove  water 
man  and  husband  was  at  my  hous  her  Sister 
and  Sweetheart.         * 

1 4th  Novr.,  1 779.  fineWeather  and  a  great 
number  of  people  Come  to  Mv  hous  this  Day. 
Serj'  Chaffe  Come  to  me  for  Orders  as  he 
was  Directed  by  Maj'  Thayer,  and  I  Sent 
Grant  to  providence  to  the  Goal,  he  allso 
brought  News  that  William  Edmans,"  a  deser- 
ter was  taken  up  and  brought  to  the  furnice  in 
Scituate,'  and  Col  Olney  had  Sent  for  him  to 
Providence  Goal. 

15th  November,  1779.  This  Morning 
Sent  my  Servant  to  providence  to  get  Some 
Salt,  and  got  help  to  kill  my  Beef,  but  the 
ladd  returnd  and  got  none,  as  they  would  not 
Sell  aney  without  they  Could   have  provisions 

'  Samuel  Grant,  of  Col.  Angell's  Company. 
^  William  Edmunds,  of  Col.  William  Humphrey's  Company. 
^  Scituate  Furnace,  the  site  of  the  present  village  of  Hope,  on 
the  Pawtuxet  River,  near  the  line  between  Coventry  and  Scituate. 


COLONEL   LSRAEL  AN  CELL.  93 

for  it.  theire  was  a  great  number  ot  people  at 
mv  hous  this  Day 

Novr.  16.  fine  weather,  I  was  to  have 
Sett  off  for  the  Army  this  morning  but  as  I 
Could  not  git  no  Salt  yesterday,  Sent  by  M"" 
Luther  this  Day  and  was  determind  Not  to 
goe  forward  untill  I  Could  get  Some,  he  Re- 
turnd  at  night,  and  had  not  got  a  handfull,  thus 
being  Disapointd  Did  not  go  forward 

November  17th,  1779.  Clowdy  and 
Snowed  very  fast  this  morning  I  Sent  my  boy 
off  for  North  kingstown  to  Peter  Phillips  Ivsq''. 
to  See  if  he  Could  purchase  me  Some  Salt, 
Nothing  Remarkable  happend  this  Day 

Novr.  18th.  My  boy  I  Sent  to  Northkings 
Town  Returnd  this  forenoon  with  two  bushel 
of  Salt,  which  my  frind  Peter  Phillips  Esq'  let 
me  have.  John  Usher  and  Thomas  Smith  both 
Come  to  mv  hous  this  Day. 

Novr.  IPth,  1779.  Sevear  Cold  this 
morning.  I  was  to  have  Set  off  tor  Camp  but 
my  Cloathes  not  being  Ready  concluded  to 
tarrv  until  the  Next  day  morning. 

Novr.  20th.  A  fine  plesant  Day,  but  I 
was  So  much  unwell  that  it  prevented  my  Set- 
ting off  for  the  army  So  I  spent  the  Day  at 
home 

21st.      This    morning   it    raind   very    hard, 


94  THE  DIARY  OF 

which  Still  prevented  me  from  going  forward, 
and  I  Spent  the  day  with  my  familey 

November  22nd,  1779.  Clowdy  and 
raind  a  little  this  morning  but  Soon  broak 
away,  and  after  breakfast  I  Set  off  on  my 
journey  to  join  the  Army  and  went  to  Volen- 
town  '  to  m^  Dorrances  there  Dind.  then  went 
on  as  far  as  Scotland  to  M"^  Forbes  Tavern 
who  married  the  widow  Flint  there  put  up  for 
that  Night. 

Novr.  23rd.  Left  my  lodgings  Early  this 
morning  wint  through  Windham  to  M*"  Hills 
there  breakfasted  then  went  to  Bolten  ■  there 
dind  from  thence  went  to  Hartford  then  put 
up  at  one  M""  Lords  a  privat  hous.  Where 
Doctor  Cornelius  was  Quarterd.  attending  on 
Some  Sick  which  was  left  behind  of  Gen'. 
Starkes  Brigade 

24th  Novr.,  1779.  After  breakfast  this 
morning  I  went  on  my  Journey  to  farmingtown 
lo  miles,  from  thence  to  Southerington  7  miles 
there  Dind.  then  went  to  Waterbury  14  miles 
there  put  up  for  the   Night,  at  one   M'  judds 

'The  towns  at  which  stops  were  .nade  serve  to  indicate  one  of 
the  lines  followed  by  travellers  through  Connecticut  in  early  times. 
Prom  Voluntown,  at  the  eastern  end  of  Connecticut,  the  course 
was  northwesterly  until  Hartford  was  reached,  where  the  course 
changed  to  southwest,  ending  at  Danbury,  att  he  western  end  of 
Connecticut. 

^  Bolton,  Conn. 


COLONEL   ISRAEL   ANCtELL.  95 

Tavern,  here  I  got  intelligence  of  my  Reg*, 
being  in  danbury  by  a  Cap\  in  Gen'.  Glovers 
Brigade,  who  was  on  his  wav  home  on  furlough 

25th  November,  1779.  Left  my  lodg- 
ings this  Morning  before  Sunrise  went  to  one 
M''  Melleries  Tavern  Seven  miles  on  a  New 
road  towards  Woodbury  there  Breakfasted, 
then  went  through  Wood  Bury  South  bury  to 
new  Town  there  Dind  21  Miles  then  went  to 
Danbury  where  I  found  the  Reg'.  Col.  Olney 
and  Major  Thaver  were  Quartered  in  a  Grand 
hous  Occupid  by  the  widow  Wollsev  of  Long 
Island 

26th.  Clowdy  and  Snowed  this  Day,  in 
the  Afternoon  Col  Greene  and  Griffen  Greene  ' 
Arrived  in  town  from  Rhodeisland,  on  their 
way  to  head  Quarters,  and  I  Set  off  with  them 
in  as  bad  a  Snow  Storm  as  Generaly  Ever  Comes 
Rode  about  9  miles  there  put  up  at  a  Public 
hous  in  the  State  of  Newvork 

November  27th,  1779.  it  Cleard  off  in 
the  night  and  we  Left  our  lodgings  Early  this 
morning  it  was  Exceeding  bad  riding  on  acct  of 
the  Snow,  though  not  more  then  Ancle  Deep 

'Griffin  Greene,  son  of  Jabez,  Jr.,  and  Susannah,  born  Feb.  i6, 
1749;  chosen  Paymaster,  August,  1777;  Major  of  Kentish  Guards, 
May,  1778.  By  order  issued  Aug.  1 1,  1778,  "  Griffen  Green  Esij.  is 
to  act  as  Aid  D.  Camp  to  Major  Gen.  Greene."  (Col.  Sherburne's 
Orderly  I5uuk  in  Newport  Historical  .Society.) 


96  THE   DIARY   OF 

as  it  raind  part  of  the  night  which  made  bad 
traveling  we  arrivd  at  the  River  opposit  west 
point  about  Day  light  Dawn,  and  Crost  over 
to  the  point,  where  We  found  great  Difficulty 
in  gitting  our  horses  out  of  the  boat,  and  Climb- 
ing the  rocks,  to  git  on  the  plain  at  the  foot  of 
the  Mountains  which  when  we  had  Accom- 
plished Enquired  for  the  Adj^  General,  where 
we  found  maney  of  our  frends,  Supt  with  the 
Adj*.  Gen',  then  I  went  with  Major  Peters ' 
lodgd  with  him  and  Major  Nicholson  "  Col 
Greene  tarried  with  the  adj'.  General.  M"" 
Griffen  Greene  went  with  Gen'.  Patterson,  we 
rode  this  Day  12  or  15  miles  and  Could  get 
nothing  for  our  [horses] 

November  28th,  1779.  This  Morning 
I  got  up  by  break  of  Day  went  to  view  the 
forts  the    first   was   fort   putnam  ^    on    a    high 

'This  may  refer  to  Peters,  Andrew  (Mass.),  Captain  of  Read's 
Massachusetts  Regiment,  May  to  December,  1775;  Captain  13th 
Continental  Infantry,  ist  January  to  31st  December,  1776;  Major 
2d  Massachusetts,  1st  January,  1777;  Lieutenant-Colonel  15th 
Massachusetts,  ist  July,  1779;  resigned  26th  November,  1779. 
(Died  5th  February,  1822.)  (Heitman's  "Officers  of  the  Conti- 
nental Army.") 

*  Nicholson,  George  Chadine  (N.Y.),  Major  ist  Canadian 
(Livingston's)  Regiment,  6th  May,  1777;  retired  1st  January,  1781. 
(Heitman's  "  Officers  of  the  Continental  Army.") 

3  Fort  Putnam  was  located  at  the  top  of  Mount  Independence, 
nearly  five  hundred  feet  above  the  river. 

It  was  built  of  stone  in  1778  to  complete  a  system   of  works  to 


COLONEL    L'iRAEL    AN  GULL.  97 

Mountain,  which  may  be  properly  Called  the 
American  Giberalter,  the  next  I  went  to  was 
fort  Arnold'  in  both  these  forts  was  bumb  proof 
Suficient  to  hold  what  men  it  would  take  to 
man  the  lines  there  was  a  fort  on  Every  Emmi- 
nence  Some  Distance  round,  after  breakfast  We 
waited  on  his  Excellency,  had  an  Invitation  to 
dine  with  him  but  gitting  nothing  for  our  horses 
went  on  for  New  Winsor,  over  the  Mountains 
through  the  High  lands,  over  the  highest 
mountam  I  ever  was  upon  we  was  about  two 
hours  Climbing  up  the  mountain.  Some  part 
of  the  way  I  was  affraid  my  hors  would  fall 
backwards  in  Climbing  up,  was  obliged  to  Stop 
at  Every  opportunity  when  the  land  would 
Admit    of  it    to  git    breath,     we  got  to   New 

secure  the  river  from  the  passage  of  the  enemy's  ships.  It  was 
named  after  the  commander  of  the  post,  Gen.  Israel  Putnam. 

This  fort  had  an  armament,  Sept.  5,  1780,  consisting  of  live  iron 
eighteen-pounders,  two  iron  twelve-pounders,  three  brass  pieces  of 
small  calibre,  and  four  brass  5i-inch  mortars.  It  had  two  bomb- 
proofs.  —  Lossing. 

'  Fort  Arnold  was  one  of  the  outposts  in  the  line  of  defences  at 
West  Point.  It  was  situated  upon  "  a  commanding  eminence  above 
the  road  leading  to  Buttermilk  Falls." 

From  "  Remarks  on  Works  at  West  Point,  a  copy  to  be  trans- 
mitted to  his  Excellency  General  Washington,  Sept.,  17S0,"  written 
by  Benedict  Arnold,  it  appears  that  "  Fort  Arnold  is  built  of  Dry 
Fascines  and  wood,  is  in  a  ruinous  condition  incompleat  ant!  sul)ject 
to  take  fire  from  Shells  or  Carcasses  "  its  armament  consisted  of  "  one 
iron  twenty-four  poun<ier,  six  iron  eighteen  pounders,  one  iron 
twelve  pounder,  three  iron  three  pounders,  one  brass  four  pounder 
and  eleven  brass  mortars  <;f  various  calil)res."  —  Lossiiic. 


98  THE  DIARY  OF 

Winsora  little  after  Sunset  but  Could  git  noth- 
ing for  our  Selves  or  horses  to  Eat.  went 
on  for  Newbourgh.  Applyd  to  Quartermaster 
Mitchel  for  forrige  for  our  horses  who  furnished 
us  with  a  little,  then  Sent  a  boy  to  get  lodgings 
for  us  which  he  did  at  an  Old  Dutch  mans  hous 
Col  Green  and  I  applyd  to  the  Cloather  Gen', 
and  finished  our  business  with  him  which  was  to 
git  Cloathing  for  our  Reg^  or  an  Order  for  it 
then  went  to  our  lodgings 

29th  Novr.,  1779.  this  Morning  after 
breakfast  1  got  My  horses  Shodd  Crost  the 
North  River  over  to  fishkill  Went  on  for  Dan- 
bury  Col  Greene  and  M''  Griffin  Greene  went  for 
Springfield  So  we  parted  about  Six  miles  from 
fishkill  but  Still  Could  git  nothing  for  our 
horses,  till  riding  ten  or  twelve  miles,  there 
Dind  and  fed  our  horses  then  went  to  Col" 
Luttentons  Tavern  among  the  Mountains  2i 
Miles  from  fishkill  there  put  up  for  the  Night 
one  of  Col"  Levingstons  Officers  Came  to  this 
tavern  in  the  Evening  on  his  way  home  on  fur- 
lough 

Novr.  30th,  1779.  Left  my  lodgings 
this  morning  after  breakfast  went  on  for  Dan- 
bury  Arrived  there  by  one  o  Clock  found  all 
well,  the  Gen.  had  Sent  an  Officer  to  Stamford 
and  along  the  Sea  Coast  to  See  if  there  was  an 


COLOXEL   ISRAEL   AN  CELL.  99 

English  fleet  in  the  Sound  and  if  there  was  not, 
he  had  orders  from  his  Excellency  by  me.  to 
march  on  the  Brigade  to  join  the  grand  Army 
in  the  Jerseys 

Deer.  1st,  1779.  Fine  Plesant  weather 
and  Nothing  Remarkable  this  forenoon  in  the 
afternoon  one  of  the  Serj'^  Viz.  Serj'  Hight  ' 
brought  a  very  handsom  patch  Gound  to  my 
Quarters  which  he  had  taken  from  one  M'"'' 
Thomas  a  Soldiers  wife  in  the  Regiment,  which 
She  had  Stolen  from  a  woman "  at  Updikes 
Newtown  in  the  State  of  Rhode  Island.  I 
took  the  Gound  in  order  to  Send  it  to  the 
owner,  and  ordered  all  the  Drums  and  fifes  to 
parade  and  Drum  her  out  of  the  Reg\  with  a 
paper  pind  to  her  back,  with  these  words  in 
Cappital  letters,  /A  THIEF/  thus  She  went 
off  with   Musick  — 

December  2d,  1779.  An  l,xceeding 
Stormev  Dav  which  Detained  us  this  Day  from 
marching 

3rd.  This  Dav  we  was  Making  preparation 
for    marching    the    next    morning  when    there 

'  Sergt.   Jonathan  Iloight,  of  Cap.  Thomas  Hughes'  Company. 

'^W^aity  Brown,  of  Updike's  Newtown  (Wickford),  as  stated  in 
a  memorandum  at  end  of  this  part  of  the  diary.  There  was  a  Waite 
Reynolds,  of  North  Kingstown,  who  married  Benjamin  Brown,  also 
of  North  Kingstown,  Oct.  17,  1771,  who  may  have  been  the  person 
referred  to. 


lOO  THE  DIARY   OF 

Come  news  that  the  bridg  over  Croton  River 
was  broak  down  which  detaind  us  another  Day 

4th.  This  Day  Major  Thayer  Set  off  for 
Providence  State  Rhode  Island  on  busness  And 
we  Remaind  at  our  present  Quarters 

December  5th,  1779.  This  morning 
the  Brigade  marched  we  had  not  marched  far 
before  it  begun  to  Snow  and  was  Exceeding 
Cold  and  tedious  I  marched  my  Reg*,  about  i8 
or  20  miles  there  got  my  Reg*,  all  into  houses 
and  good  Quarters  for  my  Self,  but  my  wag- 
gons did  not  get  up  by  Seven  miles 

Deer.  6th  &  7th.  A  fine  Clear  morn- 
ing, but  Very  Cold,  and  the  Snow  about  ancle 
Deep.  I  got  the  troops  Under  way  by  a  little 
after  Sunrise,  marched  as  far  as  within  half  a 
mile  of  kings  ferry  there  lodged  in  the  woods 
that  Night  Next  Morning  Turnd  out  at  Break 
of  Day  marched  to  the  ferry  Crost  hudsons 
River  marched  on  to  Kakaat  there  got  the 
troops  into  houses.  I  went  on  a  head  and  took 
my  Quarters  at  Col  Sherrads  this  Day  we  took 
up  Samuel  Dyer  a  Deserter  from  my  Reg*, 
and  was  trid  by  a  Court  martial,  ordered  to  be 
whipt  one  hundred  lashes  on   his  Naked  back 

December  8th,  1779.  Marched  this 
Morning  by  a  little  after  Day  light  went  to 
Soverens  tavern  in  Ranomapough,  there  halted, 


COLONEL  LSRAEL  ANGELL.  lOI 

and  drew  Some  flower  then  went  to  Pumpton  ' 
there  barracked  the  troops,  atter  Marching  22 
Miles 

Deer.  9th.  This  Day  we  lay  Still  for 
our  waggons  to  Come  up,  Col  Levingstons 
Reg'.  &c  Cor  Sherburnes  marched  by  us  and 
went  in  frunt  and  took  Quarters,  Gen".  Stark 
Got  up  with  the  troops  to   Day 

December  10th,  1779.  A  Rainey  Day 
and  we  lay  Still  thier  I  went  to  Dine  with  Gen'. 
Stark  our  Baggage  Come  up  to  Day. 

Deer.  11th.  A  Clear  and  Cold  morning, 
the  brigade  Lay  Still  this  day  waiting  for  the 
baggage  to   Come  up 

Deer,  12th.  A  Snowy  morning,  we  Rec''. 
Orders  not  to  March  this  Day  on  account  of 
its  Storming,  there  Came  Two  Deers  by  my 
Quarters,  and  was  pursd  By  the  Soldiers  but 
they   Could   not   Ketch   them. 

13th  December,  1779.  This  morning 
it  Raind  but  broak  away  and  was  Clear  about 
Eleven  oclock  and  the  Brigade  Marched  for 
Morristown  my  Reg',  went  about  16  miles, 
great  part  of  the  way  over  Shoe  in  mud  and 
Some  places  up  to  the  mens  knees  in  water  we 
marched  very  fast  untill  Some  time  in  the 
Evening  before  we  got- to  the  place  of  our  Dis- 

'  Pompton,  N.J. 


102  THE   DIARY   OF 

tination  I  put  up  at  Col"  Courtlands  '  a  Gentle- 
man from  Newyork  and  proprietor  of  Court- 
lands  Mannor  ^  — 

Scituate,  11^  Novr.,  1779.  This  Day  Settled 
and  ballanced  all  Accounts  between  M""  Na- 
thaniel Lovel  and  Col  Israel  Angell  up  to  this 
Day 

Wittness  our  hand 

Nathaniel  Lovell 
I  Angell 

Expences  Greens     -     -     -     o-io-o 

Dorrances       -----3—6  —  0 

Forbes      --_-___ 

Weighty  Brown  of  Updikes  Newtown  North 
Kingstown  gound  found  by  Serj'.  Hight 

'Philip  Van  Courtlandt  was  a  Colonel  in  the  American  army, 
having  been  appointed  in  1776. 

He  served  at  the  battle  of  Stillwater,  and  against  the  Indians  on 
the  frontier  in  1778.  In  1779-80  he  was  a  member  of  the  court- 
martial  which  was  convened  for  the  trial  of  Arnold. 

For  gallantry  and  meritorious  conduct  at  the  battle  of  York- 
town,  he  was  raised  to  the  brevet  rank  of  Brigadier-General. 

He  accompanied  General  Lafayette  on  his  tour  through  the 
states  in  1824.  He  died  at  the  Manor  House,  Nov.  5,  1831, 
aged  eighty-two. 

''The  Van  Courtlandt  Manor  was  erected  in  1773,  and  was  an 
elegant  brick  mansion.  A  cut  of  the  Van  Courtlandt  house  may  be 
seen  in  Lossing's  "Field  Book  of  the  Revolution,"  Vol.  II.,  p.  623. 

The  house  is  yet  standing,  and  occupies  a  site  in  the  present 
Van  Courtlandt  Park  in  the  northern  edge  of  the  city  of  New  York. 

It  has  recently  been  placed  by  the  authorities  in  the  care  of  one 
of  the  hereditary  patriotic  societies;  and  has  been  converted  into  a 
museum  and  repository  of  relics,  to  which  purpose  it  was  dedicated 
with  pubhc  festivities. 


COLONEL   LSRAEL  AN  CELL.  lO^ 


PART    FIVE. 


THE  events  which  transpired  between 
Aug.  lo,  1780,  and  Sept.  30,  1780,  form 
the  subject  of  the  fifth  part  of  the  diary.  It 
finds  the  army  encamped  in  Northern  New 
Jersey,  and  from  whence  it  moved  to  West 
Point,  in  New  York.  Here  the  regiment  was 
located  at  the  time  of  the  treason  of  Arnold, 
and  the  diary  terminates  with  the  events  follow- 
ing this  monstrous  affair. 

August  10th,  1780.  Clear  and  hott, 
this  morning,  the  Brigade  was  Inspected  by 
Baron  Stuben '   my  Reg*,  was  the  first  for  In- 

'  Frederick  William  Von  Steuben,  Major-General  in  the  Revolu- 
tionary Army,  "  was  one  of  the  best  educated  and  most  experienced 
soldiers  of  Germany."  He  held  the  rank  of  Lieutenant  in  the  Seven 
Years'  War,  and  had  also  held  a  position  on  the  staff  of  Frederick  the 
Great. 

He  arrived  in  America  on  the  first  day  of  December,  1777,  and 
immediately  addressed  letters  to  Washington  and  to  Congress  offer- 
ing his  services  in  the  American  cause. 

His  superior  military  training  and  knowledge  of  tactics  was  of 
the  greatest  value  to  the  American  army,  and  through  his  efforts  the 
troops  were  brought  to  a  high  grade  of  discipline. 

In  August,  1779,  Baron  Steuben,  then  Inspector-General  of  the 


104  ^^^  DIARY   OF 

spection,  and  the  Baron  was  Exceedingly  pleasd 
with  the  mens  array  being  in  the  best  Order. 
Nothing    Remarkable. 

1  1th.  The  Division  Court  Martial  where- 
of 1  was  President  was  ordered  to  Assemble  in 
order  to  finish  the  trial  of  L*  Boss  of  the  4"' 
Pennsylvania  Reg\  but  Some  of  the  Members 
did  not  attend  by  which  Reason  no  business 
was  Done,  there  has  ben  a  firing  from  one  of 
the  Enemys  Gunboats  in  North  River  at  our 
Guards  but  no  harm  done.  Two  Battallions 
paraded  for  Manoevering  one  of  which  I  Com- 
manded 

12th.  Clowdy  dark  Morning,  and  abun- 
dance of  Thunder,  but  little  rain.  Nothing 
remarkable  this  day.      I  was  much  unwell. 

United  States  Army,  arrived  in  Providence  on  an  official  tour  to  in- 
spect the  corps  of  General  Gates. 

He  compiled  for  the  use  of  the  army  a  work  on  miUtary  tactics, 
which  was  in  use  by  the  army  of  the  United  States  for  many  years. 
Copies  of  it  are  now  rare,  the  edition  being  limited  to  three  thousand 
copies. 

The  story  of  his  life  and  service  in  the  cause  of  the  Colonies  is 
told  in  "  The  Life  of  Frederick  William  Von  Steuben,  Major-General 
in  the  Revolutionary  Army,"  by  Friedrich  Kapp,  New  York,  1859. 

His  services  as  briefly  stated  by  Saffel  in  his  "  Records  of  the 
Revolutionary  War  "  are  as  follows :  "  Joins  the  army  at  Valley 
Forge;  made  Inspector-General;  commands  at  Monmouth,  June  28, 
1778;  made  Major-General ;  commands  at  Virginia  and  Yorktownin 
1781;  receives  16,000  acres  of  land  in  Oneida  County,  N.Y.  Con- 
gress, per  act  June  4,  1790,  grants  him  an  annuity  of  $2,500  for  life, 
to  commence  Jan.  i,   1 790.     Died  at  Steubenviile,  N.Y.,  Nov.   2S, 

^795-" 


COLONEL   LSRAL'IL   AXGELL.  1 05 

August  13th,  1780.  Extreem  hott,  I 
was  Exceeding  Sick  in  the  atternoon  took  a 
puke,  and  by  not  attending  to  the  Doctors 
Directions  in  taking  it  all  at  a  time,  when  1 
was  to  have  taken  only  a  part,  it  had  like  to 
Carried  me  out  of  the  Land  of  the  living  a 
large  fatague  party  went  to  dobbs  Ferry  to 
fortifying,  a  Number  of  Cannon  was  fir'd  at 
our  people  from  a  brigg  and  a  Galley  in  North 
River 

14th.  As  hot  as  ever.  I  am  much  weller 
than  yesterday,  though  but  in  a  poor  State  ot 
health.      Nothing   Remarkable  this  day 

15th.  This  was  thought  to  be  the  Hottest 
Day  Ever  known,  no  Circumstances  Relative 
to  the  Army  worth   Mentioning      / 

16th.  the  Extreem  heat  Continues.  I 
was   officer  of  the   Day,  Nothing   Remarkable 

17th  August,  1780.  Heat  Continues. 
Dind  at  Head  Quarters  this  morning  4  "Clock 
the  Brigg  and  Galley  belonging  to  the  Enemy 
up  North  River  went  down  past  dobbs  ferry 
Six  Cannon  and  Hoitzers  was  fired  at  them  but 
what  Dammage  they  received  is  not  known, 

18th.  This  Day  I  went  down  to  See  the 
Light  intantry.  and  went  as  low  as  iMiglish 
Neighbour  Hood  about  12  miles  from  Camp. 
Returnd   by  Sunsett,  the  officers  jtrcscntcd   me 


I06  THE  DIARY  OF 

with  a  request  this  morning  that  I  might  have 
a  Court  of  Inquirey  into  my  Conduct  at 
Springfield,  as  a  report  was  Spread  very  preju- 
ditious   to  my  Character 

19th.  Much  Cooler  this  day  then  it  had 
ben  I  was  Scarce  able  to  Sett  up  one  hour, 
being  So   much  unwell 

20th  August,  1780.  This  morning 
Seemd  like  October  and  Continued  Cool  the 
day,  Each  wing  of  the  army  was  ordered  to 
parade  togeather.  as  they  had  had  two  Seperate 
parades  before,  news  from  Congress  this  day 
that  was  disagreable  they  having  reduced  the 
Officers  wages  50  percent,  and  to  pay  them  in 
a  new  omition   of  paper  Money. 

August  21st.  The  report  of  the  Officers 
wages  being  Reduced,  provd  a  mistake.  Dind 
at  Gen'.  Greenes.      Nothing  Remarkable 

22d.  Cool  Morning  Two  Battalions  Man- 
oeverd  this  morning  one  of  which  I  Com- 
manded the  Barron  was  present  himself  Rec. 
orders  this  Afternoon  to  march  to  tomorrow 
morning  Seven  °Clock,  went  to  prepairing 
Accordingly. 

23d.  the  Revelle  beat  as  usual  the  Gen', 
at  5  "Clock  when  the  tents  were  Struck,  the 
Assembly  at  Six  when  they  troops  all  paraded, 
the    March    at   Seven  when    thev  all    Moved 


COLOXEL  ISRAEL   AN  CELL.  107 

forward  Marching  by  the  right,  towards  F'.nglish 
Neighbour  hood,  after  Marching  about  3  Miles 
the  Right  Wing  took  a  road  leading  to 
Slaughtinburgh,'  the  Left  a  road  to  tennec  and 
EngHsh  Neighbourhood  where  the  road  that 
the  right  wing  marched  in  fell  in  with  the 
road  that  the  left  took,  these  roads  met  on  a 
Large  Plain  at  a  place  Calld  Liberty  poll "  in 
the  vicinity  of  English  Neighbourhood,  here 
the  Army  Encamped,  this  was  an  exceeding 
hott   Day 

24th.  Clear  and  hott.  All  the  waggon 
of  the  Army  was  Collected  this  day  and  in  the 
Evening  went  down  to  bergin  ^  to  bring  off  all 
the  forrage  The  light  Infantry  all  went  down 
in  frunt,  and  Gen'.  Clintons  Brigade  marched 
to  fort  Lee  ^  at  burdetts  ferry  part  of  the  Right 

'  Probably  Schraalenburgh,  N.J. 

"The  original  Liberty  Pole,  set  up  in  1765  and  from  which  the 
place  took  its  name,  was  located  near  the  spot  where  the  present 
Liberty  Pole,  set  up  by  the  Daughters  of  the  Revolution,  is  placed, 
at  the  intersection  of  Palisade  avenue  with  the  road  leading  from 
Fort  Lee,  at  Englewood,  N.J. 

Here  in  the  days  of  the  Revolution  was  the  Liberty  Pole  Tavern, 
a  famous  place  of  resort  for  the  patriots  of  the  neighborhood.  For 
many  years,  down  to  the  middle  of  the  present  century,  this  tavern 
was  the  voting-place  for  the  whole  township  of  Hackensack.  The 
house  was  destroyed  some  twenty  years  ago.  A  carefully  made 
sketch  of  it,  showing  the  original  Liberty  Pole,  is  in  the  possession 
of  Miss  Elizabeth  Sedgewick  Vaill,  of  Deinarest,  N.J. 

•'  Bergen,  N.J. 

^This  fortification  was  situated  upon  r.  sort  of  plateau,  about 


I08  THE  DIARY  OF 

wing  marched  all  so,  I  went  off  with  a  number 
of  Gentlemen  to  fort  Lee  where  I  had  a  view 
of  the  Enemy  — 

August  25,  1780.  Exceeding  hott,  there 
was  a  Considerable  firing  this  day  towards  New 
York  but  nothing  remarkable  Come  to  hand  — 

26th.  Extreme  Hott.  the  Regiment  was 
Mustered  this  Morning  for  the  months  of 
June  and  July,  the  waggons  that  went  a  forrag- 
ing  begun  to  return  this  morning,  and  in  the 
afternoon  I  and  L^  Jencks  of  my  Regiment 
went  down  to  the  Infantry  Camp,  to  See  Major 
Thayer  and  the  ofScers  as  I  had  Rec'^  a  letter 
from  the  State  Inclosing  an  Act  of  the  General 
Assembly,  offering  the  Officers  and  Soldiers  of 
the  Continental  Battalions  Land  for  their  De- 
preciation but  the  troops  had  not  Returnd. 
So  we  rode  to  meet  them  which  we  did  in  ber- 
gin  about  Seven  miles  from  their  Camp,  thev 
had  just  hanged  a  man  for  plundering  the  in- 
habitants, he  was  a   Pensylvanian'   one  of  Col 

three  hundred  feet  above  the  river,  at  the  present  landing  and 
village  of  Fcrt  Lee,  N.J. 

A  little  above  was  a  redoubt  opposite  Jefferys'  Hook  to  cover 
the  chcvaux-de-frisc  in  the  river. — Lossing's  '^ Field  Book  of  the 
Revolution." 

'Probably  the  soldier  referred  to  by  Thatcher  under  the  same 
date  as  being  executed  for  robbery.  "  He  was  one  of  five  who  broke 
into  a  house  with  their  arms  and  robl^cd  the  inhal>itants  of  a  sum 
of  money  and  valuable  articles."  "  He  conducted,"  says  Thatcher, 
"  with  fortitude  at  the  gallows." 


COLONEL   ISRAEL   AX  CELL.  1 09 

Humptons  Reg',  he  was  hanged  by  orders  of 
the  Commanding  Officer  without  a  trial,  1 
Returnd  back  to  my  Quarters  about  Ten 
°Clock  in   the   Ev^ening. 


August  27th,    1780.     Violent  hott  c 


anc 


^H 


Dry  —  after  breakfast  went  in  Company  with  a 
number  of  the  Gentlemen  Officers  across  the 
woods  to  north  River  to  a  place  Called  Spiten 
Devils  Creek  against  king  bridg.  from  thence 
Down  the  river  to  burdeets  ferry  at  fort  Lee. 
we  had  a  grand  prospect  of  all  the  Enemys  In- 
campments  on  York  Island  returnd  to  Camp 
before  Eleven  "Clock,  there  tound  Maj".  Thayer 
and  Some  of  the  officers  of  the  Infantry. 

28th  August,  1780.  Clear  and  hott  I 
Set  off  into  the  Country  this  morning  on  busi- 
ness went  to  hackensack,'  Acquackanack^  and 
Springfield  about  i^!^  miles  I  Suffered  greatly 
with  the  heat  this  day  it  being  the  driest  time 
in  this  Country  I  ever  See,  lodged  at  M"^ 
Lanarcnus. 

29th.  Set  of  this  morning  for  Newark, 
from  thence  to  Hackensack,  in  Newark  fell 
in   Company  with  Cap'.  Higgens^  who  was  a 

'  Hackensack,  N.J.  '  Aquakinunk,  N.J. 

^Ileitman  mentiuns  a  "Iliggins,  Robert  (Va.),  1st  Lieutenant 
8th  Virginia,  12th  March,  1776;  Captain,  ist  March,  1777;  was  a 
prisoner  in  September,  1778;  transferred  to  2(1  Virgini:i,  12th 
February,  1781,  and  served  to  .  .  .  ",  wliu  may  iiavc  been 
the  officer  referred  to. 


no  THE  DIARY  OF 

prisoner  out  on  Parole,  he  was  agoing  to  head 
Quarters  and  rode  in  Company  with  me  to 
hackensack.  where  I  was  taken  So  111  that  I 
Could  go  no  further  where  we  halted  and  Staid 
at  a  Dutchmans 

30th  August,  1780.  Left  our  lodgings 
Early  this  Morning  went  to  Camp  and  Break- 
fasted, found  all  well. 

31st.  Cooler  then  it  had  ben,  and  look' 
like  for  rain,  there  was  a  heavy  firing  of  Can- 
non towards  the  hook,  which  Continued  all  the 
day,  and  at  Night  there  was  a  heavey  thunder 
Shower  with  Extreem  hard  thunder  and  Sharp 
lightening,  which  was  the  first  Shower  that  had 
ben  in  a  longe  time  here  and  the  Earth  was 
the  most  perched  that  I  Ever  Saw  it  in  any  part 
of  the  world  that  I  was  in,  I  Saw  tobaco  here 
that  was  killd  with  the  Drouth  — 

September  1st,  1780.  Cool  and 
pleasant  this  Morning.  I  was  exceeding  much 
not  well.  The  firing  of  Cannon  Still  Con- 
tinued at  the  hook  the  Same  as  yesterday  but 
Nothing  Remarkable  this  day, 

Septr  2nd,  1780.  Clowdy  and  Cold 
with  the  wind  in  the  Northeast  and  had  raind 
a  Considerable  in  the  Night,  Continued  raining 
the  Dav,  in  the  afternoon  Rec''  Orders  for  the 
Army  to  march   tomorrow   morning   5  "Clock, 


COLONEL   LSRAEL   ANGELL^.  \\i 

this  order  was  Countermanded  and  the  Army- 
was  to  march  at  Kight  oClock  Instead  of  5, 

September  3rd,  1780.  An  Exceeding 
Rainey  Morning,  which  Prevented  the  Army 
trom  marching  Agreable  to  the  Orders  of  yes- 
terday. U.  Col"  Olney  was  the  Officer  of  the 
day  yesterday,  and  got  lost  in  going  the  rounds 
Last  night,  lay  in  the  woods  till  day  Light. 
Cleard  off  this  Afternoon  plesant.  Orders  Came 
again  for  us  to  march  tomorrow  morning 

September  4th.  Clear  and  Cooler  then 
it  had  ben  for  Some  time  past,  the  Army  got 
under  way  by  ten  "Clock,  but  met  with  Some 
Obstructions  by  Bridges  breaking,  which  de- 
taind  the  rear  till  Eleven  when  the  whole  moved 
off  the  ground,  w^e  marched  by  the  right,  Crost 
what  is  called  New  bridg.'  over  hackensack 
River,  turnd  to  the  right  up  the  River  towards 
Toppan  and  Encamped  on  a  high  Ridge  of 
land  in  a  place  Calld  Stenrappie  ^ 

September  5th,  1780.  A  Gold  morn- 
ing. 1  Still  Remaind  unwell  Nothing  Re- 
markable happend  this  Day  till  Evening  when 
there   Came    News   that   all    our   Arniv  to   the 

'  At  the  time  of  the  Revolution  this  was  called  "  the  New 
Bridge."    The  locality  is  now  New  Bridge,  N.J. 

*  Steenraupie,  a  local  name  signifying  Stony  Aral)ia,  reaching 
along  the  ridge  near  Oradell  and  towards  Kindcrkamack,  N.J. 
(£■.  K.  Hind,  in  Nciv  York  "  Evening  Post.") 


I  12  THE   DIARY  OF 

Southward  was  killd  taken  and  Disperst,  Gen' 
Gates  who  Commanded  had  by  Some  means 
made  his  Escape,' 

And  rode  180  Miles  in  three  Days  before  he 
Stopt,  and  then  Could  not  tell  what  had  become 
of  his  Army,  but  had  Sent  back  a  flagg  to  En- 
quire after  them  Thus  Eands  the  Day  with 
Bad  news 

September  6th,  1780.  Cool  weather 
for  the  Season,  Nothing  Remarkable  this  Day, 
my  Illness  was  more  Sevear  then  Yesterday. 

7th.  Co"l.  I  was  freer  from  pain  this 
morning  then  I  had  ben  for  Several  days  past. 
Nothing  Remarkable  happend  this  Day,  Ex- 
cept Gen'.  Sullivan  arrived  in  Camp  on  his  way 
to  Congress  being  a  member  of  that  body  — 

8th.  Clear  and  Plesant.  I  was  Officer  of 
the  day  but  Could  not  attend  to  the  Duty  being 
So  much  Unwell, 

September  9th,  1780.  Clear  and  Very 
Cool.  Rec''  News  this  morning  of  the  Death 
of  the  Honourable  Brigadier  General  Poor.^  who 

'  This  refers  to  the  disastrous  battle  of  Camden,  N.C.,  and  the 
ignominious  flight  of  Gates,  who,  says  Fiske,  "  caught  in  the 
throng  of  fugitives  at  the  beginning  of  the  action,  was  borne  in 
headlong  flight  as  far  as  Clermont,  where,  taking  a  fresh  horse,  he 
made  the  distance  of  nearly  two  hundred  miles  to  Hillsborough  in 
less  than  four  days." 

*  Brig. -Gen.  Enoch  Poor  was  a  native  of  New  Hampshire. 
He  was  a  Colonel  in  the  Continental  army  in  the  expedition  against 


COLGXEL   ISRAEL    ANGELL.  113 

departed  this  life  Last  Evening  after  a  Short 
Illness  ot  the  putred  feavour,  the  News  from 
the  Southward.  Came  more  favourable  this 
day  then  it  had  ben  it  is  Said  there  is  a  letter 
from  the  Governor  of  Virginia  that  the  Marry- 
land  Troops  '  With  one  regiment  from  North 

Canada  in  1776,  where  he  served  with  distinction.  He  was  after- 
wards at  Crown  Point  and  was  one  of  the  twenty-one  inferior  offi- 
cers who  signed  a  remonstrance  against  the  decision  of  a  council 
of  officers  there,  consisting  of  Generals  Gates,  Schuyler,  Sullivan, 
Arnold,  and  Woedtke,  when  it  was  resolved  that  the  post  was  unten- 
able and  that  the  army  retire  to  Mount  Inrlependence. 

He  was  appointed  Brigadier  in  1777  and  served  in  that  capacity 
in  the  battles  in  which  Burgoyne  was  defeated  and  captured.  He 
soon  afterwards  joined  the  army  under  Washington  in  Pennsyl- 
vania. He  was  in  the  camp  at  Valley  Forge,  and  with  his  brigade 
was  among  the  first  troops  that  commenced  a  pursuit  of  the  Pjritish 
across  New  Jersey  in  the  summer  of  1778. 

He  fought  gallantly  in  the  battle  of  Monmouth  which  succeeded. 
He  commanded  a  brigade  of  light  infantry  in  1780,  in  which  service 
he  died,  near  Hackensack,  in  New  Jersey. 

His  funeral  was  attended  by  Washington  and  Lafayette  and  a 
long  line  of  subordinate  officers  and  soldiers.  On  account  of  the 
vicinity  of  the  enemy  the  usual  discharges  of  cannon  were  omitted. 
Rev.  Israel  Evans,  Chaplain  to  tlie  New  Hampshire  brigade,  de- 
livered a  funeral  discourse. 

General  Poor  was  buried  in  the  churchyard  at  Hackensack, 
where  a  humble  stone,  with  tlie  following  inscription,  mnrks  his 
grave :  "  In  memory  of  the  Hon.  Brigadier-General  Enoch  Poor,  of 
the  State  of  New  Hampshire,  who  departed  this  life  on  the  8"'  day 
of  September,  1780,  aged  44  years." 

General  Poor  was  greatly  esteemed  by  Lafayette,  who,  it  is  said, 
was  much  affected  on  visiting  his  grave  when  in  this  country  in 
1825.  —  Notes  itt  I.ossing's  "  Field  Book  of  the  Kevolittion,"  1  'ol.  II., 
pp.  J 22-1 23. 

'  Of  the  gallantry  displayed  by  the  Second  Maryland  Brigade, 
under  command  of  General  Gist,  at  the  battle  of  Canulen,  Eiske  in 


114 


THE  DIARY  OF 


Carolina  Stood  their  ground  fought  with  Chargd 
Bayonetts  15  minuts.  that  they  Cutt  the  brittish 
hors  nearly  all  off.  the  los  on  our  Side  was  be- 
tween 3  and  400  Men. 

10th  Septr.  1780.  Raind  a  little  this 
Morning,  but  Soon  Cleard  off.  and  was  hot  I 
went  down  to  the  Infantry,  from  thence  to 
Gen'.  Greenes  to  talk  with  him  upon  the  un- 
happy affair  of  mine,  he  advised  me  Call  a 
Court  of  Enquirey  imeadetly.  Returned  to 
Camp,  in  the  afternoon  the  Remains  ot  Gen' 
Poofe  was  Intered  at  hackensack  Church  yard, 
admidst  a  Numerous  Concours  of  People  ' 

his  "  American  Revolution  "  says  :  "  The  Second  Maryland  Brigade, 
.  after  twice  repelling  the  assault  of  Lord  Rawdon,  broke 
through  his  left  with  a  splendid  bayonet  charge  and  remained  victo- 
rious upon  that  part  of  the  field  until  the  rest  of  the  fight  was 
ended;  when  being  attacked  in  flank  by  Webster  (the  right  division 
consisting  of  a  small  corps  of  light  infantry  and  the  23d  and  33d 
Regiment),  these  stalwart  troops  retreated  westerly  by  a  narrow  road 
between  swamp  and  hillside  and  made  their  escape  in  good  order." 

'  Thatcher  in  his  Military  Journal  describes  more  minutely  this 
military  funeral  and  procession  :  "  A  regiment  of  light  infantry  in  uni- 
form, with  arms  reversed;  four  field  pieces;  Major  Lee's  Regiment 
of  hght  horse;  General  Hand  and  his  brigade,  the  major  on  horse- 
back; two  chaplains  :  the  horse  of  the  deceased,  with  his  boots  and 
spurs  suspended  from  the  saddle,  led  by  a  servant;  the  corpse, 
borne  by  four  sergeants  and  the  pall  supported  by  six  general 
officers.  The  coffin  was  of  mahogany,  and  a  pair  of  pistols  and  two 
swords,  crossing  each  other  and  tied  with  black  crape,  were  placed 
on  top.  The  corpse  was  followed  by  the  officers  of  the  New  Hamp- 
shire Brigade,  the  officers  of  the  brigade  of  light  infantry,  which  the 
deceased    had   lately  commanded.     Other    officers   fell   in    promis- 


COLONEL   LSRAEL   AX  CELL.  115 

Septr.  llth,  1780.  This  day  I  applyd 
to  the  Commander  In  Chief  for  a  Court  of 
Enquiry  which  he  was  pleasd  to  order 
Nothing   Remarkable  this    Day 

Septr.  12th.     A  Soldier  '  in  Col"  Stewarts 

cuously,  and  were  followed  by  His  Excellency  General  Washington 
and  other  general  officers.  Having  arrived  at  the  burying  yard,  the 
troops  opened  to  the  right  and  left,  resting  on  their  arms  reversed, 
and  the  procession  passed  to  the  grave,  where  a  short  eulogy  was 
delivered  l)y  the  Rev.  Mr.  Evans.  A  band  of  music  with  a  number 
of  drums  and  fifes  played  a  funeral  dirge,  the  drums  were  muffled 
with  black  crape,  and  the  officers  in  the  procession  wore  crape 
round  the  left  arm.  The  regiment  of  light  infantry  were  in  hand- 
some uniform  and  wore  in  their  caps  long  feathers  of  black  and 
red.  The  elegant  regiment  of  horse  commanded  by  General  Lee, 
being  in  complete  uniform  and  well  disciplined,  exhibited  a  martial 
and  noble  appearance.  No  scene  can  exceed  in  grandeur  and 
solemnity  a  military  funeral.  The  weapons  of  war  reversed  and 
embellished  with  the  badge  of  mourning,  the  slow  and  regular  step 
of  the  procession,  the  mournful  sounds  of  the  muffled  drum  and 
deep-toned  instruments,  playing  the  melancholy  dirge,  the  majestic 
and  solemn  march  of  the  war  horse,  all  combine  to  impress  the 
mind  with  emotions  which  no  language  can  describe  and  which 
nothing  but  the  reality  can  paint  to  the  liveliest  imagination. 
General  Poor  was  from  the  State  of  New  Hampshire.  He  was  a 
true  patriot,  who  took  an  early  part  in  the  cause  of  his  country, 
and  during  his  military  career  was  respected  for  his  talents  and  his 
bravery,  and  Ijeloved  for  the  amiable  qualities  of  his  heart.  But  it 
is  sufficient  eulogy  to  say  that  he  enjoyed  the  confidence  and 
esteem  of  Washington." 

'  "  HlCADQUAKTERS  StEENRAI'IK  Sept.  12*''.    I7S0. 

"David  Hall,  a  soldier  in  Col.  Steward's  Battalion  of  Light 
Infantry,  convicted,  at  a  Genl  Court  Martial,  whereof  Col.  Court- 
land  is  President,  of  plundering  an  inhabitant  of  money  and 
plate,  and  being  condemned  to  death,  is  to  be  executed  at  half  past 
4  o'clock  this  afternoon  — 

"Eifty  men  properly  officered  fromc  very  Brigaile  in  the  Army, 


Ii6  THE   DIARY   OF 

Battalion  was  hanged  this  day  on  the  Grand 
Parade  for  Plundering  the  Inhabitants  agreable 
to  the  Sentence  of  a  Gen'  Court  Martial  :  the 
Order  for  my  Court  of  Enquirey  was  in 
Orders,  a  Number  of  Savages  of  the  Onido 
Nation  Came  to  head  Quarters  this  Day. 
there  was  the  hardest  thunder  this  Evening  I 
ever  knew) 

Septr.  13th,  1780.  The  whole  Army 
was  Ordered  yesterday  in  After  orders,  to 
parade  on  their  Brigade  Parades  at  open  Order 
to  make  as  Great  a  Show  as  possible,  to  be  re- 
viewed by  the  Commander  in  Chief,  and  the 
Indian  Chiefs  of  the  Onido  Nation,  the  Brigad" 
of  Gen'  Starks  was  Reviewed  about  9  in  the 
Morning  with  a  Ratinue  of  all  the  Gen'.  Offi- 
cers of  the  Army  and  Great  part  of  the  field 
Officers  and  all  the  Savages  of  note,  after  which 

to  attend  in  the  rear  of  Genl.  Patterson's  Brigade:  — It  has  been 
much  the  Gen'ls  desire  to  prevent  enormities  of  this  kind  which 
are  as  repugnant  to  the  principles  of  the  cause  in  which  we  are 
engaged  as  oppressive  to  the  inhabitants  and  subversive  of  that  order 
and  discipline  which  must  characterize  every  well  regulated  Army. 
"The  Gen'l  again  exhorts  officers  and  soldiers  of  every  rank  to 
pay  the  closest  attention  to  the  conduct  of  their  men  and  to  use 
every  precaution  to  prevent  the  soldiers  from  rambling  and  com- 
mitting such  outrages,  the  subject  of  daily  complaint  and  represen- 
tation to  him.  It  is  highly  incumbent  on  them  to  do  this,  to  pre- 
vent the  consequences  which  will  follow  as  he  is  determined  to 
show  no  favor  to  soldiers  vi'ho  are  convicted  of  these  pernicious 
and  disgraceful  offences."  —  Rev.  Order  of  Gen.  Washington, p.  102. 


COLONEL   LSRAEL   AN  GEL  J..  WJ 

we  attended  at  the  Court,  but  one  member  not 
Comming  no  business  Could  be  Done.  It  was 
a  very  Rany  afternoon  but  Nothing  Remark- 
able happened 

September  14th,  1780.  Clear  and  Cool 
this  Morning  the  Court  of  Enquiry  Met  and 
proceeded  to  Enquire  into  my  Conduct  on  the 
23"'  of  June  and  Examined  all  Evidences 
against  me  and  adjurned  til  the  next  day  9 
"Clock     Nothing  Remarkable. 

Septr.  15th,  1780.  Clear  and  Cold.  I 
attended  the  Court  this  morning,  but  Major 
Reid  one  of  the  members  was  through  mis- 
take Sent  on  Command  and  no  business  Could 
be  done.  I  applyd  to  the  Adjutant  Gen',  to 
git  him  Releaved.  which  he  promist  me  Should 
be  done  the  next  day  we  got  news  this  day 
that  the  french  fleet  was  on  the  Coast.  Noth- 
ing; more  remarkable 

September  16th,  1780.     A  fine  Plesant 

day  the  Court  not  meeting  I  went  down  to  the 
Infantry,  we  had  news  that  Admiral  Rodney 
was  Come  to  the  hook,  and  that  the  trench 
fleet  was  in  his  rear  it  was  reported  that  there 
is  13  Sail  of  the  Line  English  and  25  french 
this  I  think  is  news  enough  for  this  day 

1 7th  Septr.  Plesant  weather,  the  Court  of 
Enquiry  out  this  day  and  finished  the  Business, 


I  I  8  THE  DIAR  Y  OF 

His  Excellency  Set  ofF  it  is  Said  for  hartford  " 
this  Morning  maney  repoarts  Concerning  the 
French  fleet  but  Nothing  to  be  depended  upon 
wrote  to  the  Governor 

18th  Septr.  Fine  weather,  and  Nothing 
Remarkable  this  day,  till  the  Orders  of  the 
day  Come  out,  when  the  proceedings  of  the 
Court  of  Enquiry  Come  to  light  in  the  fol- 
lowing words.  At  a  Court  of  Enquiry  Calld 
by  desire  of  Col  Angel  to  Enquire  into  a  Re- 
port Relative  to  his  being  absent  from  his 
Regiment  in  the  Action  at  Springfield  the  23'''^ 
of  June  last.  Col°  Nixon  President  The  Court 
having  heard  and  duly  Considered  the  Evi- 
dences, are  unanimously  of  Opinion  that  Col 
Angell  was  in  the  Action  at  Springfield  on  the 
23"^  of  June  last  with  his  Regiment,  and  in  the 
Execution  of  his  duty,  and  Behaved  like  a 
Brave  and  Good  ofiicer  '  — Thus  Ends  the  day 

>  Under  date  of  the  20th  Thatcher  notes,  "  His  Excellency  Gen- 
eral Washington,  with  the  Marquis  de  la  Fayette  and  General  Knox, 
with  a  splendid  retinue,  left  the  camp  on  the  17th  instant,  hound  to 
Hartford  in  Connecticut,  to  have  an  interview  with  commanding 
officers  of  the  French  fleet  and  army  which  have  lately  arrived  at 
Rhode  Island."  The  army,  during  the  absence  of  General  Wash- 
ington, was  under  command  of  Gen.  \athanael  Greene,  of  Rhode 
Island. 

2  Under  the  date  June  29,  1780,  from  his  headquarters  at  Rama- 
paugh,  General  Washington  wrote  to  Governor  Greene  of  Rhode 
Island,  "  The  gallant  behavior  of  Coll.  Angells'  regiment  on  the 
2-^^  inst,  at  Springfield,  reflects  the  highest  honor  upon  the  officers 


COLONEL  LSRAEL  ANGEL.L.  I19 

September  19th,  1780.  A  Raney  wett 
morning,  by  an  After  order  which  Came  to 
hand  last  Evening  the  army  was  to  hold  them- 
selves in  Readiness  to  march  at  a  moments 
warning,  it  Clard  off  before  noon  or  left  raining 
Steadily,  but  was  Showery  till  near  night.  I 
was  Appointed  a  member  to  Settle  a  dispute  ' 
between    Baron   Stuben,  and    Col  hazen, "  the 

and  men.  They  disputed  an  important  pass  with  so  obstinate  a 
bravery,  that  they  lost  upwards  of  forty  in  killed,  wounded  and 
missing,  before  they  gave  up  their  ground  to  a  vast  superiority  of 
force."  —RJ.  Col.  Records,  Vol.  IX., p.  iji. 

An  account  of  the  battle  of  Springfield,  written  by  \Vm.  Maxwell 
to  His  Excellency  Governor  Livingston  from  "  Jersey  Camp  near 
Springfield  14^^'  June,  1780,"  may  be  found  in  "Historical  Maga- 
zine," 1859.  Vol.  in.,  p.  211. 

'  This  dispute  probably  grew  out  of  the  affair  for  which  Colonel 
Hazen  was  tried  by  court  martial  Sept.  17,  1780. 

It  appears  from  the  Revolutionary  Orders  of  General  Washing- 
ton No.  73,  Colonel  Hazen  was  tried  for  "  Disobedience  of  orders 
and  unmilitary  conduct  on  the  march  from  Tappan  to  the  Liberty 
Pole,"  in  halting  the  brigade  under  his  command  without  any  orders 
from  the  general  commanding  the  division;  this  produced  a 
"vacancy  in  the  left  column  of  near  half  a  mile;  "  he  was  also 
accused  of  falsely  asserting  he  had  received  orders  from  General 
Stark  ordering  him  to  do  so. 

Colonel  Hazen  was  acquitted  of  the  charges,  and  the  finding  of 
the  court  martial  was  approved  by  General  Washington,  and  Colonel 
Hazen  was  released  from  arrest.  No  special  mention  is  found 
of  a  controversy  between  the  colonel  and  Steuben  in  the  Orders  of 
the  Commander-in-chief.  —  See  Rev.  Order  of  Gen.  Washington, 
p.  103. 

'  Moses  Hazen  was  appointed  Colonel  of  the  Second  Canadian 
Regiment  in  1775.     He  commanded  at  Montreal  for  a  short  time. 

Afterwards  he  was  appointed  C'olonel  of  a  regiment  called  (uii- 


I20  THE  DIARY   OF 

disput  was  Left  to  the  7  oldest  Officers  Com- 
manding the  7  lines  from  the  7  States  here  in 
Service  Newhampsheer,  Col  Cilley,  Massachu- 
setts Genl.  Glover,  Rhodeisland  Col  Angell. 
Connecticutt  Gen'.  Persons  New  York  Genl 
Clinton,  New  Jersy  Col  Dayton,  Pennsylvania 
Gen'.  St  Clair,  a  troublesom  world  this,  as  Soon 
as  one  gits  out  of  trouble  them  Selves,  are 
Calld  upon  to  Settle  Disturbances  with  others 
all  the  Gentlemen  met  but  did  no  business, 
and  Adjurnd  till  the  2I'^  as  the  whole  Army 
was  ordered  to  march  to-morrow  morning,  to 
be  under  way  by  ten  "Clock  at  furthest, 

September  20th,  1780.  A  Clowdy 
morning,  the  General  was  beat  this  morning  at 
Seven  oClock,  the  baggage  fild  off  at  Eight,  the 
Assembly  beat  at  9  the  troops  marched  a  little 
past  ten  went  to  Tappan  and  Encamped  upon 
the  Same  Ground  we  went  from  the  ij*^''  of 
August  past,  it  Raind  Some  this  Day,  and 
Remaind  Clowdy  the  whole  Day. 

gress's  Own.  He  was  in  the  battles  of  Germantovvn  and  Brandy- 
wine. 

Having  charge  of  prisoners  in  Pennsylvania,  he  was  ordered  to 
designate,  by  lot,  a  British  officer  for  retaliation  in  the  case  of  Huddy 
(which  may  be  found  treated  at  length  in  Lossing's  "  Field  Book," 
2-160). 

He  died  at  Troy,  New  York,  Jan.  30,  1802,  aged  sixty-nine 
years.  — Lossing's  "  Field  Book  of  the  Revolution^''''  Vol.  II.,  p.  174- 

Heitman  gives  the  date  of  his  death  as  Feb.  3,  1803. 


COLOXEL   ISRAEL  AX  CELL.  12 1 

Septr.  21st.  a  Rany  morning  but  Soon 
broak  away  the  Gentlemen  met  again  this  day 
to  Settle  the  dispute  between  Barron  Stuben  and 
Col  Hazen,  but  did  not  finish  the  business, 
went  to  dobbs  ferry  in  the  afternoon  on  our 
way  back  a  merry  Scean  happened  Gen'  Stark 
goining  to  water  his  hors  at  a  place  Call'd  the 
Stole,  mired  him,  and  got  him  into  the  mud  and 
mire,  the  Gen'.  Got  out  without  aney  damage 
Except  bedaubing  himself  with  mud,  the  adj. 
Gen',  allso  mired  his  hors.  but  he  got  out  with- 
out difficulty.  Gen'.  Stark  was  drawd  out  by 
the  Soldiers 

Septr.  22nd,  1780.  Foggy,  but  Soon 
broak  away  hot.  the  Gentlemen  met  this  day 
at  Gen'  S'  Clears  and  Setteled  the  dispute  be- 
tween Major  Gen'.  Barron  Stuben  and  Col 
Hazen,  to  the  Satisfaction  of  both  parties  there 
was  a  heavey  Cannonade  this  morning  Supposd 
at  kings  ferry  but  Soon  heard  it  was  at  tallows 
point  a  little  below,  a  british  fregit  lying  there 
Gen'.  Arnold  ordered  two  heavey  peaces  down 
with  one  or  twohoitzcrs  in  the  night  and  opend 
his  Batterey  on  her  this  morning  when  She  was 
obligd  to  tow  ot,  after  having  near  lOO  Shot  at 
her. 

Septr.  23d,  1780.  A  foggy  morning  but 
Soon   Cleard  ofi"   hott.      Nothing    Remarkable 


122  rilE   DIARY   OF 

the  french  Minister'  Came  into  Camp  yester- 
day morning  and  Sett  off  this  morning  for 
Rhode    Island 

September  24th, .     a  Clowdy,  but 

Soon  Cleard  away  hot  and  Remaind  Exceeding 
hot  for  the  Season  of  the  year  till  the  afternoon 
when  it  began  to  thunder  and  was  a  Considerable 
of  thunder  and  lightening,  and  rain  The  Enemy 
landed  from  their  Ship  and  Sloop  in  North 
River  this  morning,  a  little  below  haverstraw 
and  bunt  Maj'.  Smiths  hous  and  all  the  Grain 
and  hay  he  had  he  had  his  barn  hay  and  Grain 
burnt  last  year  by  the  brittish  privats  I  Capt 
Tew  and  Hews  Rode  up  along  Side  of  North 
River  6  or  7  Miles,  then  turnd  over  the  Moun- 
tain in  a  Valle  or  low  place  &  Came  into  the 
Road  leading  from  Charles  Town  to  Toppan, 
Arrived  in  Camp  before  Sunset  just  as  it  began 
to  rain  hard. 

'  Anne  Csesar  de  la  Luzerne  was  born  in  Paris  in  1741.  He 
first  entered  the  army  and  was  engaged  in  the  Seven  Years'  War, 
during  which  he  obtained  the  rank  of  Colonel.  He  afterwards 
turned  his  attention  to  diplomacy  and  became  distinguished  as  an 
ambassador  to  various  courts  of  Europe.  His  official  relations  with 
the  United  States  Government  were  of  four  years'  duration,  and  by 
his  friendly  services  he  gained  the  strong  approbation  of  Congress 
and  the  warm  regard  of  Washington.  In  1781  Harvard  University 
conferred  upon  him  the  degree  of  LL.D.  In  1783  he  returned  to 
France  and  was  sent  ambassador  to  London,  where  he  died  Sept. 
14,  1 791.  He  came  to  this  country  in  the  same  ship  with  John 
Adams,  then  the  American   Minister.  — •  Slojte. 


COLONEL   LSRAEL   AN  CELL.  123 

September  25th,  1780.  Rec^  Orders 
yesterday,  or  last  Evening  for  all  the  whole 
Army  to  be  under  Arms  this  day  at  ten  "Clock 
A.M.  and  formd  in  line  of  battle  on  a  Ridg  of 
high  land  west  of  orrang  Town,  then  Changed 
their  frunt  to  the  right,  this  Manoeyer  was  per- 
formd  by  Signals,  the  first  Cannon  was  a  Signal 
for  the  troops  to  assemble  on  their  Brigade 
parades,  the  2'"^  Gun  for  them  to  march  off,  and 
form  the  line,  3"^  Gun  for  them  to  Change  their 
trunt  to  the  right  4"'  gun  for  the  Brigades  to 
march  off  to  their  Camps,  all  this  was  per- 
formd  with  great  precision,  the  troops  was  dis- 
mist  h\  three  "Clock — we  had  a  Cool  day  for 
our  Manoeyering  there  being  So  much  thunder 
yesterday  and  Last  Evening 

September  26th,  1780.  The  most  Ex- 
traordinary affair  happened  yesterday  that  Ever 
has  taken  place  Since  the  war.  General  Benedict 
Arnold  who  Commanded  at  west  point  went  to 
the  enemv,'  His  Excellency  the  Commander 
in  Chief  having  ben  to   Hartford   to  meet  the 

'  Arnold's  treason  is  too  well  understood  to  need  any  account  of 
it  here.  It  certainly  is  invested  with  a  peculiar  vividness  and  new 
interest  by  reading  these  lines  written  by  a  man  of  such  high  patriotic 
impulses  as  the  writer  who  was  at  hand  when  this  most  horrible 
episode  of  the  Revolution  took  place.  For  an  account  of  a  "  Pro- 
cession in  Honour  of  Arnold?"  through  the  streets  of  the  city  of 
Philadelphia,  Sept.  30,  1780,  see  "The  Historical  Magazine,"  1S61, 
Vol.  v.,  p.  276. 


124  7'^^^   DIARY   OF 

French  Gen',  and  Admiral,  was  on  his  way  to 
join  the  armv  and  yesterday  the  Adj^  General  ' 
of  the  Brittish  Armv  was  taken  at  Tarry  Town 
as  a  Spve  by  three  Militia  men  "  the  news  Soon 
reached  west  point,  and  on  the  Appearence  of 
His  Excellencev  Gomming  to  the  post,  Gen^ 
Arnold  went  down  to  the  River  Side  with  Six 
men  with  him  got  into  a  boat  went  down  the 
river  to  the  English  Friggat '^  that  Lay  there 
and  went  on  board  of  her,  and  She  Imeadetly 
Set  Sail  tor  New^  York,  and  by  the  best  informa- 
tion he  had  ben  Carrving  on  a  treacherous 
Corrispondence  with  the  Enemv.  and  had  agreed 
to  Sell  them  that  post  with  all  the  men,  but 
Heavens  directed  it  otherwavs.  on  Receiving 
this  intelligence,  the  whole  Armv  was  ordered 
to  be  readv  to  march  as  Soon  as  possible,  we 

'  Maj.  John  Andre,  Adjutant-General  of  the  British  army.  An 
interesting  account  of  Major  Andre  by  Colonel  Tallmadge  is  in 
"Historical  Magazine,"  1859,  Vol.  III.,  p.  229. 

*  John  Paulding,  David  Williams,  and  Isaac  Van  Wert.  Congress 
subsequently  directed  that  each  of  these  receive  annually  two  hundred 
dollars  in  specie,  or  its  equivalent,  during  their  life;  a  silver  medal 
was  also  awarded  each,  "  one  side  of  which  shall  be  a  shield  vvith  this 
inscription  :  Fidelity,  and  on  the  other  the  following  motto :  limit 
amor  Patriis."  These  Washington  was  directed  to  present  to  them 
with  a  copy  of  the  resolution  of  Congress.  A  letter  reflecting  on  the 
patriotism  and  integrity  of  the  captors  of  Andre,  written  by  Gen. 
Joshua  King,  a  Lieutenant  in  Colonel  Sheldon's  Regiment  of  Light 
Dragoons,  and  who  first  had  charge  of  Andre,  is  printed  in  "  The 
Historical  Magazine,"   1857,  Vol.  I  ,  p.  293;  see  alsj  pp.  313-375. 

•*  British  sloop-of-war  "\'ulture. " 


COLONEL   ISRAEL   AN  CELL.  125 

all  turnd  out  went  to  Cooking  and  packing  up 
their  Baggage  the  Pennsylvania  line  marched  of 
and  left  their  Baggage  to  follow  it  being  Expected 
that  the  Enemy  would  attempt  to  take  west 
point  this  night  the  News  Come  to  us  alittle 
after  midnight,  had  not  this  horrid  Treason  ben 
discovered  America  would  have  Rec''.  a  deadly 
wound  if  not  a  fatal  Stabb. 

Septr.  27th,  1780.  Clowdy  and  Cold 
with  a  high  wind  from  the  Northeast,  begun  to 
Storm  about  the  middle  of  the  dav,  and  was  a 
Cold  rany  Afternoon,  we  had  News  Come  this 
day  that  on  Joseph  Smith  '  was  taken  up  as  a 
Spye  from  the  Enemy  and  brought  to  west 
point  where  the  Commander  in  Chief  was,  he 
Came  out  of  New  York  with  M''.  Andrew  the 
Brittish  adjutant  General  and  it  was  thought 
that  they  would  both  Grace  a  halter  togeather. 

Septr.  28th,  1780.  It  Cleard  away  this 
Morning  and  was  cold,  after  dinner  I  with 
a  Number  of  the  Officers  of  the  Army  road 
out  to  Meet  His  Excellencey  on  his  return  to  the 
Army,  but  after  riding  Six  or  Seven  miles  heard 

'  This  was  Joshua  Smith,  a  confederate  of  Andre's.  He  was  tried 
by  court  martial,  but  there  being  no  positive  proof  against  him,  he 
escaped  death,  but  was  ordered  into  confinement,  but  after  several 
months,  either  from  lack  of  vigilance  on  the  part  of  his  keepers  or 
from  indifference,  he  was  allowed  to  escape  to  New  York. — 
Thatcher. 


126  THE   DIARY   OF 

he  had  taken  another  road,  therefore  turnd 
another  way  back  without  Seeing  him,  M' 
Smith  and  the  Brittish  Adj',  Gen',  was  allso 
Comming  on  with  a  Guard  of  draggoon 

Septr.  29th.  The  two  prisoners  Come  to 
Camp  last  evening,  a  flagg  Came  this  day  from 
the  Enemy  Sir  Hary  Clinton  made  a  demand 
of  M""  Andrew  the  Kings  adj^  Gen',  Saying  he 
Came  out  as  a  flagg  and  ought  not  to  be  de- 
taind. 

Septr.  30th,  1780.  A  board  of  Gen'. 
Officers  Sat  this  day  on  M'  Andrew  and  con- 
demnd  him  as  a  Spy,  to  Suffer  death,  the  Com- 
mander in  Chief  approvd  the  Sentence  and 
ordered  it  put  in  Execution  tomorrow  five 
oClock  in  the  afternoon,  a  flagg  was  Sent  trom 
head  Quarters  by  the  way  of  Elizabethtown  to 
the  Enemy,  and  one  Came  from  the  Enemy  to 
dobbes  ferry,  and  brought  a  number  of  things 
from  the  Enemy  to  Maj""  Andrews  his  Servant 
Came  in  the  flagg.      I  was  Officer  of  the  Day. 


COLOXEL   ISRAEL  ANGELL.  12/ 


PART    SIXTH. 


THE  concluding  part  of  the  diary  begins 
with  Feb.  14,  178  i,  and  ends  April  3, 178 1. 
It  details  the  last  days  of  Colonel  Angell's 
services  in  the  army,  of  his  journey  from  his 
home  in  Johnston,  R.I.,  to  West  Point  and  re- 
turn, and  also  includes  a  few  days  of  retirement, 
after  long  years  of  faithful  and  conspicuous 
service  with  the  Rhode  Island  Continental  line. 

Feby.  14th,  1781.  Left  my  hous  this 
Morning  went  to  Mr  Dorrances  '  in  Voluntown 
1 6  Miles  then  breakfasted  went  to  Mr  Reppley 
in  Scotland  i6  Miles  then  Dined  then  went  to 
M'.  Hill  in  Lebanon  lo  Miles  there  put  up 
for  the  day  42 

Feby.  15th,  1781.  Left  my  lodgings 
early  this  morning  went  to  Mr  white  Break- 
fasted then  went  to  Hartford  but  could  get  no 

'  Dorrance's  Tavern  was  a  popular  place  o!  resort.  It  was  not 
unlike  most  of  the  public  houses  at  this  period,  and  it  is  related 
that  fast  young  men  of  most  respectable  families  "  drank  Geneva  rum 
on  a  wager  at  Dorrance's  Tavern  till  all  were  drunk,"  and  then  started 
off"  for  a  Voluntuwn  frolic."  — /.'?^-«d'd',''  IVinJh.im  Coitnfy,"  Vol. 
II.,  p.  235 


128  THE  DIARY   OF 

dinner  then  rode  about  three  miles  on  towards 
Farmington  there  Din'd  then  went  to  Farming- 
ton  there  tarried  —  42  miles 

Feby.  16th,  1781.  Left  my  Lodgings 
this  Morning  went  on  about  Six  miles  then 
Breakfasted  and  got  one  of  my  horses  shod  then 
went  to  Waterbury  there  Din'd  then  went  to 
South  Bury  Doctor  Grahams  then  put  up  for 
the  Night  I  met  a  Number  of  the  men  of  my 
Regt  a  going  home  this  Day. 

Feby.  17th,  1780  (?).  Left  my  Lodg- 
ings this  morning  went  on  to  Newtown  from 
thence  to  Danbury  there  Din'd  then  went  on 
for  Camp  but  missing  my  way  and  being  be- 
nighted put  up  at  a  log  hous  tavern  in  the 
mountains  where  for  fear  of  being  Rob'd  could 
sleep  but  little. 

Feby.  14th,  1781. 

Paid  at  Dorrances  Tavern  ^^~   \~   o 

do  at  Rippleys  in  Scotland  o-    3-10 

Paid  for  Oats  o-    i  -    o 

Paid  Mr  Hills  0-6-0 

do   at  Mr  White  0-4-5 

Do  for  Oats  o-    i  -    o 

Do  for  ferriage  o-    i  -    o 

Do  3-6 

Do  for  lodgings  o  -    8-4 

Do  for  Oats  and  Breakfast  0-3-0 


COLOXEL  ISRAEL  AN  CELL.  I  29 

Do  for  Dinner  and  hors  Baiting  4-6 

Do  Lodgings  Suppers  hors  Keep- I  0  -    j. 

ing  Doctor  Grahams  j 

Do  Breakfast  0-3-    2 

Do  Dinner  o-    5-10 


carried  over  2  —  1 8  -  1  i 
Supper  and  lodging 

Hors  keeping  &c  0-9-    o 

Breakfast  o-    2-    6 

Sum  brought  over  2  -  1 8  -  1 1 


o  -  12  -    c 


Total  Expenses  to  Camp       3  -    1-15 
To  my  Expences  from  Camp  to 
West  Point  and  back  from  the 
2i''of  Feb  to  the  22  /o  >  .  9  7    ^ 

r-~  lOfl       lOI 

To   my  Expences   m  paymg   ot 

the    men  and   going    to   west 

point  from  the  24th   to  the  27  J 
March    10-1781    To     my    Ex-^ 

pences   from   West    Point,  to  V    o  -    7  -    o 

New  Wmsor  ". _  3 

To  my  Expenses  while  at  West  |'^^    7-0 

Point  paid  M"^  Mandaill  f  "    " 

To   Cash    paid    Rufus '   for  the  ^ 

Expences  of  get'ing  the  horses  V    ^o-io-^  o 

to  Camp  i      ,  Ji    ,  -,    !  :  «T 

^  ,.,ir.   ^jfiicj  ■■■'I      ■'■  'I    ''I    ■■■■'  ' 

:'v,  6-    ^)-    4 

'  Rufus  Chapman. 


£o-   9- 

o 

o-    6- 

o 

2  -  I  I  - 

9 

o-    8- 

o 

o-    9- 

o 

O  -     I  - 

6 

130  77/A  DIARY   OF 

16  March  To  Cash  paid  Rufus 
1 8  To    Cash   for    my   Kxpences 

while  at  West  Point 
]  9  To    Cash     paid    the     widow 

Brewer 

20  To  Cash  paid 

2 1  To  Cash  paid  for  myself  and 

hors  keeping 
Do  To  Cash  for  Oats 
Do  To    Cash     tor    Dinner    and 

baitings  for  Horses  o  -    5  -    i 

To  Cash  paid   Coles  Tavern^ 

for    his   hors  keeping   and  V    o-io-    6 
lodging  J 

for  hors  hire  o  -    4  -    6 

for  hors  keeping  o  -    6  —    o 

For  hors  keeping  and  lodg- 
ing o-  I  I  -    o 

For  hors  keeping  and  break- 
fast 0-8-0 

To  Dinner  and  baiting  o-    3  -[  ] 

To   hors  hire   in  getting  the 

Waggon  along  o-    5-[] 


6-18-  10 


24  March  1781. 

Paid   for  hors   Keeping  and 

lodging  £'^-  16  -    6 


COLOXEL   ISRAEL   AN  CELL.  131 

To  Cash  for  baiting  o  -    i  -    6 

To  Cash  for  do  1-2 

25  To  Cash  for  Entertainmt  11-    6 

To     Cash      for     Dinner  an 


baiting 

8- 

6 

Brought  over  from  the  other 

Pages 

13- 

5- 

3 

To  Cash  for  hors  hire 

0  - 

4- 

6 

To  Cash  paid  Peleg  Peck  for 

hors  hire 

0- 

3- 

0 

To  Cash  paid  Elesha  Barns 

for  hors  hire 

0- 

-> 

6 

To     Cash     paid     Crage    for 

hors  keeping 

0  - 

9- 

0 

To    Mony  paid    Rufus    for 

Expences 

I  - 

4- 

0 

17-    7-    5 

My  Baggage  was  twelve  days  in  Coinming 
from  West  Point 

Feby.  18th,  1781.  Left  my  lodging  this 
morning  went  to  Camp  found  all  well  the  men 
was  so  Rejoist  at  seeing  me  that  they  gave  three 
Chears  I  immeditly  went  to  paying  off  the 
troops 

19th.  Continued  Close  to  my  hutt  paving 
the  men  Col"  Greene  Sent  me  a  billet  desiring 
me  to  Come  to  his  Quarters  this   Evening  but 


132  THE   DIARY   OF 

I  could  not  attend  on  account  of  paying  the 
men  off. 

20th.  This  day  I  finished  paying  all  E'.x- 
cept  the  light  Infantry  which  marched  off  the 
day  I  come  into  Camp  the  Regt.  had  orders  to 
march  tomorrow  for  west  point. 

21st.  The  troops  marched  this  Morning 
agreeable  to  the  Orders  of  yesterday  I  set  off 
with  them  went  to  Colo  Greene  Quarters  there 
Din'd  then  went  to  west  Point  Crost  the  River 
but  could  not  get  my  hors  over  Returned  after 
Dark  Recrost  a  Miry  Marsh  to  a  hous  where 
we  got  lodgings  but  nothing  for  ourselves  or 
horses  to  Eat. 

22d.  This  morning  it  Storming  I  and  Col. 
Greene  sett  off  to  go  the  Point  or  Fort  but 
met  the  Greatest  part  of  the  troops  a  Re- 
turning Againe  having  lain  on  Constitution 
Island  '  all  the  night  in  the  Storm  as  they  Got 
but  one  boat  load  over  after  I  and  Col"  Greene 
Crosst  before  the  boats  was  carried  away  by  the 
Ice  with  five  men  in  it  the  Men  nor  boat  Could 
not  be    heard  of  this  day.   by    Eleven    o'clock 


'  Constitution  Island  lies  opposite  West  Point;  a  substantial  work 
called  Fort  Constituiion  was  located  on  the  island.  One  end  of  the 
immense  chain  which  was  stretched  across  the  Hudson,  May,  1778, 
to  prevent  the  passage  of  the  enemy's  ships,  was  anchored  on  this 
island  just  below  the  present  steamboat  landing.  Links  of  this 
chain  may  yet  be  seen  at  West  Point. 


COLONEL   ISRAEL   AN  CELL.  1 33 

Col.  Green  and  myself  went  to  his  Q'""  from 
thence  I  went  to  the  hutts  found  Capt  Brown 
preparing  for  to  Defend  the  baggage  by  making 
a  block  house  of  one  of  the  huts 

23d  Feby.  A  Stormy  Day  I  remaind 
this  Day  in  the  hutts. 

24th.  This  Day  went  to  Col°  Greens  Qrs 
there  tarried  all  Night  the  Troops  that  marched 
for  the  point  the  2  i  and  Came  back  to  the  New 
Hampshire  hutts  Marched  again  to  Day. 

25th.  Col.  Greene  and  myself  Sett  of  for 
the  point  Early  in  the  Morning  went  to  M'' 
Mandavils  there  left  our  horses  then  went  to 
Cross  the  ferry  but  found  it  all  Blockt  up  with 
the  Ice  we  then  Crost  the  flatts  upon  the  Ice 
to  Constitution  Island  where  we  Crost  just  be- 
fore Night  on  our  way  Cros  the  Ice  Ensign 
John  Rogers  fell  through  over  a  deep  Creek 
ketched  and  hung  by  his  arms  we  Indeavored  to 
get  rails  to  throw  to  him  but  could  find  none 
but  some  short  peaces  at  length  I  thought  of 
tying  my  Great  Coat  and  Col  Greenes  together 
and  then  tying  them  to  a  Stick  with  the  help  of 
two  little  boys  got  it  to  him  &  Drawed  him  out 
but  I  would  not  have  run  the  risk  1  did  for  all 
the  State  of  New  York  had  it  not  been  to  save 
life     Storm'd  near  all  this  Day. 

26th  Feby.      We  Spent  this  day  in  trying 


134  THE  DIARY  OF 

to  Cross  the  ferry  which  we  Effected  just  at 
Sunsett  tarried  at  M''  Mandavils 

27th  Feby,  1781.  Left  M''  Mandavils 
this  morning  after  Breakfast  went  to  Col.  Law- 
rences O"  Peeks  kill  there  met  L'  Joseph 
Wheaton  anci  paid  the  money  for  the  Infantry 
to  him  then  went  to  the  hutts  and  there  dined 
lodged  at  the  Widow  Brewers. 

28th  Feby.  This  day  was  plesant  as 
Summer  I  spent  the  Same  at  the  hutts  at  night 
went  to  the  Widow  Brewer  there  tarried. 

March  1st,  1781.  After  Breakfast  went  to 
Col"  Greenes  Quarters  there  Spent  the  Day  it 
being  Clowdy  and  Cold  and  allso  tarried  this 
night  with  Col"  Greene  in  the  Evening  there 
came  a  letter  from  Gen'  Heath  Informing  Col. 
Greene  that  the  French  Ships  that  went  from 
New-Port  had  taken  the  Romolus  of  fifty  guns 
and  Nine  sail  of  privateers  and  transports  ot 
Chesepeck  Bay. 

March  2d,  1781.  Clowdy  weet  and  Cold 
after  Breakfast  Col.  Greene  and  I  went  to  the 
hutts  the  man  I  had  Sent  after  my  horses  re- 
turn'd  this  day  without  them  the  Order  being 
from  Col.  Greene  and  not  from  the  D.  O.  M 
General  was  Obligid  to  Send  off  again  Din'd 
at  the  hutts  then  went  to  the  Widow  Brewers 
where  I  proposed  to  stav  Col.  Greene  went  to 
his   Quarters 


COLONEL   ISRAEL  ANGELL.  135 

March  3d,  1781.  Good  weather  and 
Nothing  Remarkable  Spent  the  Day  at  the 
hutts  tarried  at  the  widow  Brewers 

4th.  Clear  and  plesant  the  Baggage  of  the 
Reg'  that  was  left  at  the  hutts  was  ordered  on 
for  west  Point  as  was  all  the  troops  Except  a 
Guard  of  42  men  I  sent  Rufus  Chapman  '  after 
horses 

5th.  Clowdy  before  breakfast  Rufus  re- 
turn'd  from  fishkill  and  had  got  no  horses  upon 
which  I  set  off  Imeadetly  for  west  point  It 
soon  began  to  Storm  and  stormed  very  hard  I 
arrived  at  M""  Mandavels  by  12  oclock  where  I 
put  up  for  this  day  and  night  Col  Green  Come 
from  the  point  in  the  evening. 

March  6th,  1781.  This  morning  after 
breakfast  I  &  Col  Greene  went  over  to  the 
Point  he  being  president  of  a  Court  Martial 
after  dining  on  the  point  Returned  to  M'  Man- 
davils  and  went  to  the  hospital  at  Robinsons 


'  Rufus  Chapman,  tenth  child  of  Stephen  and  Leuriah  (Sanger) 
Chapman,  was  born  Oct.  26, 1744,  and  died  in  May,  1848.  He  was 
married  May  19,  1770,  to  Dorcas  Sewall,  of  Exeter;  they  had  one 
daughter.  He  is  said  to  have  charged  his  wife  with  being  a  witch, 
and  he  separated  from  her.  He  was  a  member  of  Capt.  Stephen 
Kimball's  Company,  in  Col.  Daniel  Hitchcock's  Regiment,  of  the 
Army  of  Observation,  1775.  See  my  "  Revolutionary  Defences  in 
Rhode  Island,"  page  6.  Rufus  Chapman  was  pensioned  June  26, 
1819,  as  a  private  of  the  Rhode  Island  Line. —  Senate  Documents 
/'ension  Roll. 


136  THE  DIARY  OF 

Hous'  returned  to  our  Quarters  in  the  Evening 
this  Day  was  Clovvdy  but  did  not  storm. 

March  7th,  1 78 1 .  A  stormy  morning  with 
Snow  &  Rain  after  breakfast  Col.  Greene  went 
for  west  Point  but  it  stormed  so  that  I  thought  it 
best  to  remain  where  I  was  which  I  did  the  Day. 

8th  March,  1781.  Went  over  to  the 
Point  this  morning  after  breakfast  in  the  after- 
noon went  for  New  Winsor  in  a  Boat  where  1 
arrived  about  Eight  o'clock  in  the  Evening. 

9th   March.      Clear  Breakfasted  with   the 
Adj.  General  then  paid  off  what  men  there  was 
here    then   went    to    Newburgh     in  the  Gen' 
[  ]  Returned  in  the  Evening. 

10th.  Left  winsor  this  morning  after 
Breakfast  in  a  Boat  with  some  Country  people 
went  to  west  point  it  Snowed  the  great  part  of 
the  passage  which  made  it  very  Dissagreable 
the  Distance  being  about  8  miles   I  arrived  at 

'  The  Robinson  House  was  the  headquarters  of  Generals  Putnam 
and  Parsons  in  1778-9.  It  took  its  name  from  Col.  Beverly  Robin- 
son, its  owner.  What  gives  it  more  historic  interest,  however,  is  the 
fact  that  it  was  here,  while  at  breakfast  with  his  family  and  military 
guests,  Benedict  Arnold  received  the  note  from  Colonel  Jameson 
apprising  him  of  the  capture  of  Major  Andre,  and  from  whence  he 
fled  to  the  British  sloop-of-war  "Vulture."  From  this  house 
(ieneral  Washington  wrote,  Sept.  26,  1780,  to  General  Heath  in- 
forming him  of  the  treason  of  Arnold.  —  IleatVs  Memoirs, p.  2jj. 

Thatcher,  in  his  Journal,  under  the  date  of  April  12,  1781,  writes 
that  he  "  crossed  the  Hudson  to  the  hospital  at  Robinson's  House 
and  passed  the  night  with  Dr.  Eustis." 


CJLOXEL   rSKAEL   AX  CELL.  I  37 

the  Garrison  about  Two  O'Clock  Dined  then 
went  over  to   M''  Mandavells   there  tarried. 

1  1  th  March,  1 78 1 .  Clear  plesant  weather 
over  head  but  bad  under  toot  atter  breakfast  I 
and  Col  Greene  went  to  the  point  where  we 
spent  the  Day  in  the  afternoon  Come  over  and 
went  up  upon  the  Mountain  to  the  North 
Redoubt  '   then   to  our  Quarters. 

March  12th,  1781.  Good  weather  after 
Breakfast  I  sett  of  for  the  hutts  where  I  din'd 
&  spent  the  Day. 

13th.  Cold  and  windy  this  Day  there  was 
an  Allarm  on  w^hich  the  Militia  was  called  to- 
geather  but  it  proving  to  be  a  false  Allarm 
they  were   Dismist. 

14th.  Clowdy  and  raind  this  Day  nothing 
Remarkable 

15th.  A  pleasant  Morning  but  Soon 
Clowded  over  and  raind  in  the  afternoon  the 
horses  Sent  for  to  Carry  my  Baggage  to  Rhode 
Island.  News  came  this  evening  Arnold  and 
his  party  was  taken. 

'  The  North  Redoubt  at  West  Point  had  an  armament  of  three 
iron  eighteen-pounders  and  three  iron  twelve-pounders.  It  is  tlius 
described  in  the  "  Remarks  on  Works  at  West  Point "  :  "North  Re- 
doul)t,  on  the  East  side,  l)uilt  of  stone  4  feet  high ;  above  tlie  stone, 
■wood  filled  in  with  I^arth,  very  Dry.  No  ditch:  a  Bomb  Proof, 
three  Batteries  within  the  Fort,  a  poor  Abattis  a  Rising  piece  of 
ground  500  yards  Scj.  the  approaches  Under  Cover  to  within  20 
yards.     The  work  easily  tired  with  l-'aggiHs  dipt  iii  Pitch  ..Vc." 


I3«S  THE   DIARY   OF 

16th.  Good  weather  my  Baggage  Set  off 
this  morning  for  Rhode  Island  after  Brealcfast 
I  set  off  for  west  Point  went  to  Mr,  Manda- 
vi]ls  where  I  tarried. 

I7th  flarch,  1781.  Good  weather  a 
great  parade  this  day  with  the  Irish  it  being  St 
Pataricks.  I  spent  the  day  on  the  point  and 
Tarried  with  the  Officers. 

18th.  After  Breakfast  I  set  off  on  my 
Jorney  for  New  England  went  to  Mr  Manda- 
vills  there  Dind  then  went  to  M'^  Brewers  my 
old  Quarters  this  day  was  more  like  April  than 
March 

19th.  Clowdy  and  Rained  a  little  after 
Breakfast  I  set  off  went  to  the  hutts  there 
having  some  business  which  detained  me  till 
after  Dinner.  When  I  set  off  for  Danbury 
where  I  arrived  in  the  Evening  it  rained  ail 
the  Afternoon  very  hard  and  worse  riding  could 
not  be. 

20th  riarch,  1781.  Clear  good  weather 
over  head  but  muddy  under  foot  after  break- 
fast set  forward  went  as  far  as  Bostic  there  put 
up  for  the  night  having  overtaken  my  waggon. 
21st.  Clear  and  Good  weather  after  Break- 
fast went  on  as  far  as  Southerington  there  dined 
at  Curtisses  Tavern  then  went  to  Mr.  Coles  in 
Farmington  there  put  up  for  the  night. 


COLONEL    LSRAEL    AXGELL.  139 

22d  March,  1781.  Left  my  lodgings 
after  Breakfast  went  to  Hartford  met  with  Capt 
Humphrey  tarried  there  was  obliged  to  hire  a 
hors  to  help  me  on  as  far  as  hartford. 

23d.  A  Stormy  morning  Crost  the  ferry 
to  East  Hartford,  breakfasted  went  on  to  Hill's 
Tavern  8  mile  there  Halted  for  the  waggon  to 
come  up  which  did  not  Arive  till  3  o'clock  the 
horses  being  tired  out  I  hired  a  man  to  help 
me  on  as  far  as  bolton  where  I  halted  that 
night. 

24th.  This  morning  being  Clear  there 
come  two  teams  early  a  going  to  Canterbury 
and  hired  them  to  help  me  on  upwards  of  twenty 
miles  I  rode  on  as  far  as  Canterbury  Stopt  and 
Din'd  in  Scottand  Put  up  at  Landlord  Back- 
uses  but  the  waggon  Didnot  git  up  till  the 
morning  following. 

25th  Harch,  1781.  Clear  and  Cold  My 
waggon  Come  up  this  Morning  after  breakfast 
I  set  forward  after  having  hired  Capt  Cacon 
to  help  me  on  as  far  as  Dorrances  in  Vollen- 
town  where  I  arriv^ed  and  Dined  then  went  on 
to  my  own  hous  found  my  family  well.  Ictt 
my  waggon  to  come  on  as  fast  as  possible  and 
thus  h.ands  the  Service  with  me.  ' 

'  By  the  Act  of  Congress  of  Oct.  3,  17S0,  the  two  Continental 
Regiments  of  Rhode  Island  were  reduced  to  one,  to  take  effect 
Jan.   1,   1 781.      by   this  arrangement  Colonel  Angell   retired,  and 


140  THE   DIARY   OF 

26th  riarch.  Clear  and  Co.d  but  soon 
Clowded  over  I  hired  Peleg  Peck  to  go  help 
my  waggon  on  which  arrived  in  the  Evening. 

27th  March,  1781.  After  Breakfast  I 
set  off  for  Providence  where  I  spent  the  Day 
at  Evening  went  to  my  fathers  and  tarried 
news  Come  of  the  french  fleet  returning. 

28th.  Spent  the  forenoon  at  my  fathers  it 
being  Exceeding  Cold  and  unpleasant  after 
Dinner  went  to  Providence  was  informed  that 
the  french  fleet  was  actually  return'd  and  had 
had  an  Engagement  with  the  English  fleet  but 
the  particulars  was  not  known  one  Circum- 
stance in  my  journal  of  yesterday  I  forgot  to 
mention  that  is  I  had  the  Pleasure  of  seeing 
Uncle  James  Angell,  at  my  fathers  who  had 
not  been  there  in  22  years  before  on  acct.  of 
some  misunderstanding  between  him  and  my 
father. 

29th  March,  1781.  Cold  and  Clowdy 
Snowed  some  but  cleared  off  in  the  afternoon 
with  a  severe  March  wind  and  cold. 

30th  riarch.  Clear  and  Cold  with  a  vio- 
lent high  wind  Nothing  Remarkable, 

31st.       A     tollerable    pleasant    day    after 

Christopher  Green  succeeded  to  the  colonelcy  of  the  consolidated 
regiment,  who  was  succeeded  a  few  months  later  by  Lieut.-Col. 
Commandant  Jeremiah  Olney. 


COLONEL   ISRAEL   AN  CELL.  141 

Breakfast  I  went  to  Providence  where  it  was 
currently  Reported  that  the  french  fleet  behaved 
Giillantly  in  the  action  with  the  british  and 
that  the  English  fleet  ran  away  from  them 
Returned   in    the   Evening. 

April  1st,  1781.  Clear  and  Spring  like 
weather  this  morning  but  Soon  Clowded  over 
and  the  wind  blew  up  at  South  very  raw  and 
Cold  there  was  a  meating  held  at  my  hous  this 
day 

2d.  A  violint  Storm  Set  in  last  night  and 
Continued  this  Day  the  Storm  begun  with 
Snow  but  before  the  middle  of  the  Day  turn'd 
to  rain  and  by  night  had  carried  ofi^  the  Greatest 
part  of  the  Snow. 

3d.  It  Still  Continued  Storming  and  had 
Snowed  the  Greatest  part  of  the  night  and  was 
a  Considerable  of  Snow  on  the  Ground  but 
there  being  so  much  water  made  it  Shocking 
Traveling. 


INDEX. 


ACOXET,  51,  53. 

Albro,  Robert,  67. 

Allen,  William,  Capt.,  41,  65. 

Andre,  John,  Major,  124. 

Andrews,  Major,  126. 

Andrews,  Mr.,  42,  125,  126. 

Angell,  Isaac,  41,  43. 

Angell,  Israel,   Col.,   102,   118, 

120. 
Angell,  James,  140. 
Angell,  Jason,  14,  40. 
Angell,  Samuel,  60. 
Aquakinunk,  109. 
Arnold,  137. 

Arnold,  Benedict,  Gen.,  123. 
Arnold,  Fort,  97. 
Arnold,  Gen.,  121,  124. 
Arnold,  Noyes,  Lieut.,  10. 
Arro    Smith,    Edmund,    Capt., 

42,  43- 

Backus,  Landlord,  139. 
Barber's  Height,  56,  65,  69. 
Barnes,  Elisha,  131. 
Barney,  Daniel,  82. 
Harrington,  68. 
Bay,  Chesapeake,  134. 
Beaver-Tail  Lighthouse,  85. 
Bergen,  107,  108. 
Bird,  Benjamin,  53. 
Bishop  Benoni,  91. 


Block  Island,  71,  77. 
Blodget,  Major,  5. 
Bolton,  94,  139. 
Boss,  Lieut.,  104. 
Bostic,  138. 

Boston,  4,  35,  42,  45,  75. 
Boston  Neck,  35,  51,  61,  65,  72. 
Bowen,  Jabez,  Gov.,  67. 
Box,  Daniel,  Major,  43. 
Bradford's  Hill,  12. 
Bradford,  Priscilla,  Mrs.,  20. 
Bradford,  William,  Gov.,  i,  46, 

76. 
Brenton's  Neck,  88. 
Brewer,  Widow,  130,  134,  135, 

138. 
Bridge,  Greene's,  70. 
Bridge,  Kickamuit,  11,  53. 
Bridge,  Kings,  109. 
Bridge,  New,  in. 
Bristol,  II,  12,  16,  19,  30,  32. 
Bristol  Ferry,  13,  90. 
Brown,  Capt.,  133. 
Brown,  Waity,  99,  102. 
Burdett's  Ferry,  107,  109. 
Butts  Hill,  8. 

Cacon,  Capt.,  139. 
Canterbury,  139. 
Carolina,  North,  114. 
CaroHna,  South,  64. 


M3 


144 


INDEX. 


Carpenter,  Lieut.,  44. 
Carpenter,  Qr.  Master,  13,  i^. 
Chaffee,  Noah,  Serg't,8o,8i,92. 
Chapin,  Lieut.,  27. 
Chapman,  Rufus,  129,  130, 131. 

135- 
Charlestown,  64,  122. 
Chesapeake  Bay,  134. 
Church  Yard,  Hackensack,  1 14. 
Cilley,  Col.,  120. 
Clefford,  80. 
Clinton,  Gen.,  107,  120. 
Clinton,  Harry,  Sir,  126. 
Cole,  Mr.,  82,  138. 
Conanicut    Island,   72,  79,  81, 

82,  83,  85,  87,  88. 
Congdon,  Joseph,  89. 
Connecticut,  75,  120. 
Constitution  Island,  132,  133. 
Cook,  John,  Lieut.,  59. 
Cornelius,  Elias,  Dr.,  22,  94. 
Cornell,  Ezekiel,  Gen.,  11. 
Cranston,  14. 

Creek,  Spitting  Devils,  109. 
Croton  River,  100. 
Curtis  Tavern,  138.     ■ 

Danbury,  95,  98,  128,  138. 
Dayton,  Col.,  120. 
DeEstaing,  Count,  3,  77. 
DeLafayette,  Marquis,  14. 
Deruce,  John,  64,  67. 
Dexter,  David,  Capt.,  38. 
Dexter,  Lieut.,  15. 
Dighton,  73. 

Dobb's  Ferry,  105,  121,  126. 
Dorrance,    Mr.,   94,    102,    127, 

128,  139. 
Dunop,  Count,  85. 


Durfee,  Mr.,  90. 
Dutch  Island,  63,  72,  79. 
Dyer,  John,  Col.,  62,  83. 
Dyer,  Samuel,  100. 

East  Greenvi'ich,  56. 

East  Hartford,  139. 

Edmunds,  William,  92. 

Elizabethtown,  126. 

Elliott,  Col,  39. 

English  Neighborhood, 1 05, 1 07. 

Exceen,  John,  27. 

Fairfield,  63,  64. 

Farmingtown,  94,  128,  138. 

Ferry,  Bristol,  13,  90. 

Ferry,  Burdett's,  107,  109. 

Fen-)',  Dobb's,  105,  121,  126. 

Ferrj',  Rowland's,  11. 

Ferry,  King's,  65,  100,  121. 

Feriy,  Tockwotton,  34, 

Fenner,  Major,  16. 

Fenner,  Richard,  Jr.,  Major,  39. 

Fishkill,  98,  135. 

Fisk,  Caleb,  Dr.,  24. 

Fisk,  Joseph,  Landlord,  24. 

Flagg,  Ebenezer,  Major,  56,  61. 

Flint,  Widow,  94. 

Forbes,  Mr.,  94,  102. 

Fort  Arnold,  97. 

Fort  Lee,  107,  108,  109. 

Fort  Putnam,  96. 

Fowler,  67. 

Frothingham,  Ebenezer,  39. 

Gardner,  John,  Col.,  82. 
Gardner,  Major,  56,  72. 
Gardner,  Mr.,  57. 
Gates,    Horatio,   Gen.,    51,   69, 

So,  84,  1 1 2. 


/ADEX. 


M5 


Georgia,  51,  77. 

Gilly,  Robert,  91. 

Glover,  John,  Gen.,  11,  61,  95, 

120. 
Goat  Island,  89. 
Gould,  John,  80,  81. 
Graham,  Dr.,  128,  129. 
Grant,  Samuel,  92. 
Greene's  Bridge,  70. 
Greene,  Christopher,  Col.,  7,  15. 
Greene,  Col.,  56,  59,  61,  65,  78, 

89,  90,  91,  95,  96,  98,    131, 

132,  133,  134,  135,  136,  137. 
Greene,  Col.  Com'd't,  11. 
Greene,  Gov.,  Mrs.,  86. 
Greene,  Griffin,  95,  96,  98. 
Greene,  Jonathan,  83. 
Greene,  Nathaniel,  Gen.,  4, 106, 

114. 
Greene,  William,  Jr.,  Gov.,  59. 
Greenwich,  11,   15,  57.  59.  61, 

69,  70,  77,  78,  79,  90,  91. 
Greenwich,  East,  56. 

Hackf.ns.vck,  109,  1 10. 
Hackensack  Churchyard,  114. 
Hackensack  River,  in. 
Ilagan,  Francis,  Dr.,  49. 
Hamlin,  Daniel,  Ensign,  38. 
Hartford,  94,  1 18,  123,  127,  139. 
Hartford,  East,  139. 
Haverstraw,  122. 
Hazard,  67. 
Hazard,  Stanton,  73. 
Hazen,  Mo.ses,  119,  121. 
Heath,  Gen.,  134. 
Hegron,  81. 

Height,  Bari)er's,  56,  65,  69. 
Herenden,  Thomas,  85. 


Higgins,  Robert,  Capt.,  109. 

Hill,  Bradford's,  12. 

Hill,  Butt's,  8. 

Hill,  Little  Rest,  76. 

Hill,  Mr.,  52,  94,  127,  128. 

Hill,  Quaker,  8. 

Hill,  Tower,  63. 

Hoight,    Jonathan,   Sergt.,  99, 

102. 
Hopkins,  Elder,  24. 
Howland's  Ferry,  11. 
Hudson  River,  100. 
Hughes,  Thomas,  Capt.,  16,  70, 

79,83,  122. 
Humphrey,  William,  Capt.,  57, 

139- 
Humpton,  Col.,  109. 
Huntington,  Ebenezer,  Major, 

5,  20,  29,  31. 

Independenck,  Mount,  97. 

I.sland,  Block,  71,  77. 

Island,  Conanicut,  72,  79,  81, 

82,  83,  85,  87,  88. 
I.sland,  Constitution,  132,  133. 
Island,  Dutch,  63,  72,  79. 
Island,  Goat,  89. 
Island,  Long,  95. 
Island,  Prudence,  32. 
Island,  York,  109. 

Jackson,  Col.,  51,  90,  91. 
Jacobs,  Col.,  2. 
Jacobs,  William,  57. 
Jerauld,  Dutee,  Lieut.,  54. 
Jencks,  Lieut.,  108. 
Johnston,  16,  55,  59. 
Judith,  Toint,  66,  71,  73,  84. 
Judds,  Mr.,  94. 


146 


INDEX. 


Kakaat,  100. 
Kickamuit  Bridge,  11,  53. 
Kickamuit  River,  54. 
King,  Benjamin,  16. 
Kings  Bridge,  109. 
Kings  Ferry,  65,  100,  121. 
Kingstown,  Nortli,  93,  102. 

I-ANARCNUS,  Mr.,  109. 
Lawrence,  Col.,  134. 
Lebanon,  127. 
Lee,  Fort,  107,  108,  109. 
Liberty-Pole,  107. 
Lighthouse,  Beaver  Tail,  85. 
Little  Rest  Hill,  76. 
Littlefield.  William,  Lieut.,  46. 
Livingston,  Col.,  32,  88,  90,  98, 

lOI. 

Livingston,    Henry    Beekman, 

Col.,  5. 
Livingston,  James,  Col.,  38. 
Lobb,  James,  54. 
Loizcan,  Augustus,  Capt.,  38. 
Long  Island,  95. 
Lord,  Mr.,  94. 
Lovell,  Nathaniel,  102. 
Luther,  Benjamin,  23,  24. 
Luther,  Consider,  18. 
Luther,  Mr.,  59,  68,  93. 
Luttenton,  Col.,  98. 
Luzerne,   Anne   Caesar  de   la. 


Macomber,   Ebenezer,  Lieut., 

81. 
Mandeville,  Mr.,  129,  133,  134, 

'35'  137.  138- 
Massachusetts,  120. 
Melleries,  Mr.,  95. 


Miller,  Nathan,  Gen.,  52. 
Millimen,  George,  69,  71. 
Mitchel,  Quartermaster,  98. 
Monmouth,  56. 
Morristown,  loi. 
Mount  Independence,  97. 
Mowry,  Mr.,  64. 

Neck,  Boston,  35,  51,  61,  65, 

72. 
Neck,  Brenton'.s,  88. 
Neck,  Wanvick,  69. 
Neighborhood,     English,     105, 

107. 
Newark,  109. 
New  Bedford,  13.  14,  32. 
Newberg,  98,  136. 
New  Bridge,  in. 
New  England,  138. 
New  Hampshire,  120,  133. 
New  Haven,  63. 
New  Jersey,  99,  120. 
New  London,  63,  73,  89. 
Newport,  24,  66,  82,  86,  87,  88, 

134- 
Newtown,  Updike's,  32,  56,  62, 

64-  75'  95-  99.  102,  128. 
New  Winsor,  97,  129,  136. 
New  York,  7,   10,   77,  78,    95, 

108,  120,  124,  125,  133. 
Nicholson,   George   C,  Major, 

96. 
Ni.xon,  Col.,  118. 
North  Carolina,  114. 
North  Kingstown,  93,  102. 
North  Providence,  61. 
North    River,   65,  67,  98,   104, 

105,  109,  122. 
Northup,  John,  Judge,  77. 


INDEX. 


M7 


Olney,  Coggeshall,  Capt.,  71, 

76. 
Olney,  Col.,  4,  20,  34,  46,  47, 

57,  70,  73'  76,  7^.  S-.  ^4.  91, 

92,  95- 
Olney,  Jeremiah,  Col.,  12. 
Olney,  Joseph,  Capt.,  61. 
Olney,  Lt.  Col.,  20,  26,  36,  70, 

73,  79,  81,  III. 
Olney,  Stephen,  Capt.,  30,  76. 
Orangetown,  123. 

Patterson,  Gen.,  96. 

Paulding,  John,  124. 

Pawtuxet,  14. 

Pearce,  Richard,  27. 

Peck,  Ebenezer,  34. 

Peck,  Peleg,  131,  140. 

Peck's  Rocks,  51. 

Peck,  William,  Col,  49. 

Peekskill,  134. 

Pennsylvania,  1 20. 

Penobscot,  72. 

Persons,  Gen.,  120. 

Peters,  Andrew,  Maj.,  96. 

Phillips,  Peter,  66,  93. 

Phillips,  Stephen,  85. 

Pillar,  John,  27. 

Point  Judith,  66,  71,  73,  84. 

Point,  Quonset,  62. 

Point,  Rome's,  86. 

Point,  Stony,  65,  66. 

I^oint,  Tallow's,  121. 

Point,  West,  96,   123,  124,  125, 

129,   130,  131,   132,  135,  136, 

138. 
Pompton,   loi. 
Poor,    Enoch,    Brig.-Gen.,    112, 

114. 


Poppasquash,  20. 

Potter,  Thomas,  Col.,  76. 

Pratt,  William,  Ensign,  62. 

Price,  Edward,  Lieut.,  39. 

Proctor,  William,Sergt.-Maj., 27. 

Prudence  Island,  32. 

Providence,  3,  11,  12,  13,  14, 
15,  20,  21,  23,  25,  26,30,31, 
3->  34.  36,  40,  42,  43'  45'  46, 
47'  48,  51.  54'  57.  59'  60,  65, 
67,  68,  69,  7°'  7I'  72,  73.  78, 
79,  81,  83,  84,  90,  91,  92,  100, 
140,  141. 

Providence,  North,  61. 

Putnam,  Fort,  96. 

Quaker  Hill,  8. 
Quonset  Point,  62. 

Ram,\paugh,  100. 

Red  Banks,  84. 

Rehoboth,  34. 

Reid,  Major,  117. 

Rhode    Island,   13,  15,  26,  27, 

73'  78,  95.99.  100,  120,  123, 

137.  138- 
Ripley,  Mr.,  127,  128. 
River,  Croton,  100. 
River,  Hackensack,  iii. 
River,  Hudson,  100. 
River,  Kickamuit,  54. 
River,  North,  65,  67,  98,   104, 

105,  109,  122. 
River,  Warren,  14,  32,  68,  69. 
Road,  Ten- Rod,  83. 
Rocks,  Peck's,  51. 
Rodney,  Admiral,  117. 
Rogers,  John,    Ensign,  81,  91, 

13.3- 


148 


INDEX. 


Rome,  George,  57. 
Rome's  Point,  86. 
Koxbury,  35. 

Sands,  Ray,  Col.,  63. 

Sandy  Hook,  77. 

Santa  Cruz,  57. 

Sayles,  Lieut.,  70,  S3. 

Schraalenburgh,  107. 

Scituate,  92. 

Scotland,  94,  127,  128,  139. 

Seekonk,  75. 

Sherburne,  Col.,  16,  20,  46,  51, 

90,  lOI. 
Sherrads,  Col.,  100. 
Simmons,  3. 

Slack,  Benjamin,  Dr.,  23. 
Smith,  Capt.,  45. 
Smith,    Edmund    Arro,   Cap't., 

42,  43- 
Smithfield,  92. 
Smith,  Joshua,  125. 
Smith,  Major,  122. 
Smith,  Mr.,  126. 
Smith,  Thomas,  93. 
Southbury,  95,  12S. 
South  Carolina,  64. 
Southerington,  94,  13S. 
Spitting  Devil's  Creek,  109. 
Springfield,  98,  106,  109,  iiS. 
Stamford,  98. 
Stark,  Gen.,  69,  84,  88,  90,  94, 

loi,  116,  121. 
St.  Clair,  Gen.,  120,  121. 
Steenraupie,  iii. 
Stevens,  Mr.,  59. 
Stewart,  Col,  115. 
Stole,  121. 
Stony  Point,  65,  66. 


Sullivan,  Gen.,  10,  14,  31,  112. 

Swansea,  52. 

Sweeting,  Job,  Capt.,  60. 

Talbot,  Silas,  Col.,  41,  73. 

Tallow's  Point,  121. 

Tarrytown,  124. 

Tavern,  Curtis's,  13S. 

Tenney,  Samuel,  Dr.,  77. 

Ten- Rod  Road,  83. 

Tew,    William,    Capt.,    32,  69, 

122. 
Thayer,  Simeon,  Major,  26,  34, 

36,  43,  46,  64,  65,  70,  72,  79, 

81,  82,  83,  92,  95,  100,  108, 

109. 
Thomas,  John,  82. 
Thomas,  Mrs.,  99. 
Thompson,  Charles,  Chaplain, 

19.  32. 
Thornton,  Daniel,  43. 
Thrasher,  Joseph,  60,  64. 
Tiverton,  36. 
Tockwotton  Ferry,  34. 
Toppan,  III,  120,  122. 
Tower  Hill,  63. 
Twitchel,  67. 

Updike's  Newtown,   32,  56, 

62,  64,  75,  95,  99,  102,  128. 
Usher,  Freelove,  Mrs.,  23. 
Usher,  John,  93. 

Van      CouRrL.\NDT,      Philip, 

Col,   102. 
Van  Wert,  Isaac,  124. 
Varnum,  James  Mitchell,  Gen., 

6,  II,  14,  15'  20,  22,  30,  43, 

46,  48,  76. 


INDEX. 


149 


Vamum,  Martha,  28. 

Vial,  John,  Ensign,  6,  1 5. 

Virginia,  1 13. 

Voluntown,  91,  94,  127,  139. 

Von  Steuben,  Frederick    Wil- 

ham.   Baron,    103,    104,    119, 

121. 
Vose,  Joseph,  Col.,  54. 

Wanskuck,  40,  78. 
Ward,  Samuel,  Col.,  77. 
Warren,   11,  21,  22,  25,  44,  49, 

51,  52,  53,64,65,68,69,  77, 

90. 
Warren  River,  14,  32,  68,  69. 
Warwick,  11,  62. 
Warwick  Neck,  69. 
Washington,  George,  Gen.,  10. 
Waterbury,  94,  128. 
Waterman,  Freelove,  92. 
Waterman,  John,  43. 
W^aterman,  Richard,  18. 
W^aterman,  Thomas,  Lieut.,  28, 

29,  66. 
Wayne,  Anthony,  Gen.,  65. 


Webb,  Samuel  Blatchey,  Col., 

28,  31,  39,  47.  go- 
West,  Ebenezer,  75. 
West  Point,  96,   123,  124,  125, 

129,  130,  131,  132,   135,   136, 

1 38. 
Wheaton,  Joseph,  Ensign,  71, 

83.  134- 

Whillys,  Lieut.,  38. 

Whipple,  John,  51. 

Whipple,  Naomi,  40. 

White,  Mr.,  127,  128. 

Whittlesey,  Nathan,  Qr.  Mas- 
ter, 21. 

Wigglesworth,  Edward,  Col.,  2. 

Williams,  David,  124. 

Williams,  Samuel  W.,  Capt., 
29. 

Windham,  94. 

Winsor,  Samuel,  Elder,  24. 

Wollsey,  Widow  95. 

Woodbury,  95. 

York  Island,  109. 


History  of  the  State   of    Rhode  Island 

and  Providence  Plantations, 

1 636- 1 790. 

By  SAMUEL    GREENE   ARNOLD. 
New  Edition.    2  vols.    Octavo.    574  and  600  pp.     $7.50,  net. 


Governor  Arnold's  History  of  Rhode  Island,  based  upon  a 
careful  study  of  documents  in  the  British  State  Paper  Office 
and  in  the  Rhode  Island  State  Archives,  supplemented  by  in- 
vestigations at  Paris  and  The  Hague,  has  from  its  publication 
been  the  authoritative  history  of  the  State. 

Genealogical  students  will  find  in  these  volumes  the  names  of 
over  fifteen  hundred  persons  prominent  in  Rhode  Island  affairs. 
This  work  is  of  much  more  than  local  interest,  as  the  experi- 
ment of  religious  liberty  here  tried  gives  to  this  history  an  im- 
portance far  beyond  the  narrow  limits  of  the  State. 


"  One  of  the  best  State  histories  ever  written  is  S.  G.  Arnold's  His- 
tory of  the  State  of  Rhode  Island  and  Providence  Plantations."  —  John 

FlSKE. 

"The  best  history  of  Rhode  Island  is  that  of  .'\rnold."  —  Prof. 
George  P.  Fisher,  Yale  University. 

"  Mr.  Samuel  Greene  Arnold  in  his  history  of  Rhode  Island  has 
brought  together  all  the  extant  materials.  He  brings  out  more  clearly 
than  any  previous  writer  the  distinct  threads  of  the  previous  settle- 
ments." —  Prof.  John  A.  Doyle,  Oxford. 

"  A  work  prepared  after  long  and  careful  research.  Probably  no 
student  has  ever  made  himself  more  familiar  with  the  history  of  Rhode 
Isl.^nd  than  did  Arnold.  This  work  abounds,  therefore,  in  valuable  in- 
formation." —  Pres.  Charles  Kendall  Adams,  Cornell  University. 


SENT   POSIPAID    \'.\    THK    I'l  I'.l.lSlIKRS. 

3 


Among  Rhode  Island  Wild 
Flowers. 

By  W.  WHITMAN    BAILEY, 

Professor  of  Botany,  Bro%vn    University. 

Cloth.     i6mo.     Three  full-page  Illustrations.    75  cents,  net. 


This  admirable  little  volume,  the  outgrowth  of 
the  author's  ripe  experience  in  teaching  and  in 
botanizing,  contains  a  popular  and  interesting 
account  of  Rhode  Island  wild  flowers  as  distrib- 
uted throughout  the  State.  The  favorite  collecting 
grounds  are  fully  described,  thus  forming  a  botani- 
cal guide  to  Rhode  Island. 

In  writing  this  volume  Professor  Bailey  ha.,  had 
in  mind  the  needs  of  the  nature  lover,  and  has  dis- 
carded technical  terms  as  far  as  possible,  adai)ting 
the  work  to  the  amateur  as  well  as  tiie  botanist. 

It  should  be  in  the  hands  of  every  lover  of  wood- 
land and  meadow. 

Forwarded  postpaid  to  any  address  upon  receipt 
of  price  by  the  publishers. 
4 


Tax  Lists  of  the  Town  of  Providence 

During  the  Administration  of  Sir  Edmund  Andres 
and  his  Council, 

I 686- J 689. 

Compiled  by  EDWARD  FIELD,  A.B., 

Member  of  the  Rhode  Island  Historical  Society,  and  one  of  the 
Record  Coiiiinissioncrs  of  the  City  of  Providence. 

Cloth.     Octavo.    60  pp.    Si. 00,  net. 


The  "  Tax  Lists  of  the  Town  of  Providence"  is  a  compilation 
of  original  documents  relating  to  taxation  dtiring  tlie  .Xdminis- 
tration  of  Sir  Edmund  Andros  and  his  Council,  1686-1689.  It 
comprises  copies  of  warrants  issued  by  order  of  the  Council  for 
the  assessment  and  collection  of  taxes,  the  tax  lists  or  rate  bills 
prepared  pursuant  to  these  warrants,  the  returns  made  by  the 
townsmen  of  their  ratable  property,  and  the  Tax  Laws  enacted 
by  Andros  and  his  Council.  All  of  these,  with  the  exception 
of  the  laws,  are  here  printed  for  the  first  time. 

Among  the  rate  bills  is  the  list  of  polls  for  1688,  which  con- 
tains the  names  of  all  males  sixteen  years  of  age  and  upwards 
living  in  Providence  in  August  of  that  year  ;  practically  a  census 
of  the  town.  For  the  genealogist  and  historian  this  volume  con- 
tains material  of  the  greatest  value  on  account  of  the  great  num- 
ber of  names  which  these  lists  contain,  besides  showing  the 
amount  of  the  tax  assessment  in  each  case. 

The  returns  of  ratable  properly  form  a  study  by  themselves, 
for  they  tell  in  the  quaint  language  of  the  colonists  what  they 
possess,  and  therefore  shed  much  light  on  the  condition  of  the 
times.  For  a  study  of  this  episode  in  New  England  Colonial 
History  this  work  is  invaluable. 

The  index  of  all  names  contained  in  the  lists  and  text  is  a 
feature  of  this  work. 

The  edition  is  limited  to  two  hundred  and  fifty  numbered 
copies. 

Sent  postpaid  to  any  address  on  receipt  of  one  dollar. 


The  East  India  Trade 
of  Providence 

From  1787  to  1807 

By  GERTRUDE   SELWYN  KIMBALL 
8vo,  34  pages,  paper,  50  cents 


By  a  careful  study  of  log  books  and  com- 
mercial papers  of  the  old  shipping  firms, 
the  author  is  enabled  to  present  an  inter- 
esting picture  of  the  East  India  Trade  of 
Providence  in  its  palmy  days. 


SENT   POSTPAID   ON   RECEIPT   OF  PRICE 


Topographical  Atlas 


STATE  OF  RHODE  ISLAND  AND    PROVIDENCE 
PLANTATIONS 

By  the  United  States  Geological  Survey,  in 
co-operation  with  the  State 


Having  secured   the   remaining   copies  of  this  Atlas,  we 
offer  them  at  the  following  reduced  prices  : 


In  Sheets    .    . 

.      $1.00 

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.    $2.50 

A  few  bound  i)i  half  Morocco  remain  and  can  be  furnished  for  %},  50. 

The  plates  of  this  Atlas  were  engraved  upon  copper  in 
the  highest  style  of  cartographic  engraving  by  the  United 
States  Government  and  furnished  to  the  State.  From  these 
plates  transfers  were  made  to  stone  and  the  maps  printed  in 
four  colors,  viz. :  The  names,  roads,  railroads  and  other  cul- 
ture features  in  black.  Rivers,  ponds,  swamps,  and  other 
water  features  in  blue.  Contour  lines  and  figures  denoting 
elevation  are  in  brown.  State,  county,  and  town  boundaries 
are  in  pink,  over  the  more  exact  boundaries  in  black  or  blue. 

Besides  showing  all  bodies  of  water  and  water  courses, 
common  roads  or  highways  and  railroads,  it  has  one  feature 
distinct  from  and  superior  to  any  map  of  the  State  hitherto 
published,  viz.  :  Contour  lines,  drawn  for  each  20  feet  of 
elevation  above  mean  sea  level.  Figures  are  placed  upon 
the  heavier  contour  lines,  which  denote  elevations  of  100 
feet,  200  feet,  etc.,  above  mean  sea  level,  also  upon  hills  and 
bodies  of  water  to  <lenote  their  elevation.  A  contour  line 
indicating  20  feet  depth  of  water  below  mean  sea  level  is 
drawn  along  the  coast.  In  a  few  cases  figures  are  given  to 
indicate  depth  of  water  of  less  than  20  feet. 

This  Atlas  includes  12  maps  and  10  pages  inde.x  and  sta- 
tistics, in  all  22  sheets,  2IX16J.  The  scale  of  survey  is 
52J55>  ^"^  *^"'^  mile  to  an  inch. 


The  Magazine  of  New  England 
History 

For  J 89 J,  1892,  1893 


Having  purchased  the  few  remaining  complete 
sets  of  the  Magazine  of  New  England  History, 
originally  published  at  $6.00,  we  offer  the  three 
volumes  in  parts  as  issued  for  ^2.50  per  set,  or 
bound  in  one  volume,  cloth,  for  $3.50. 

These  volumes  contain  nearly  eight  hundred 
pages  of  information  relating  to  New  England 
local,  church,  and  family  history,  including  rec- 
ords, genealogies,  journals,  letters,  and  many 
interesting  notes  and  queries. 


What  Cheer 

OR 

Roger  Williams  in  Banishment 

A    POEM 
By  JOB   DURFEE 

Revised  and  edited  by  THOMAS  DURFEE 
Cloth,  Leather  Label,  i2mo,  225  pages.    Price  $1.25  net 


MARY  DYER 

Of  Rhode  Island,  The  Quaker  Martyr  that  was 
Hanged  on  Boston  Common,  June  1,  1660. 


By  HORATIO  ROGERS,  Associate  Justice 
of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Rhode  Island. 


The  author  has  gathered  from  many  sources 
the  scattered  facts  relating  to  the  career  of 
Mary  Dyer  and  woven  them  into  a  detailed 
narrative,  so  that  the  tragic  story  of  her  life 
is  now  for  the  first  time  adequately  told.  By 
adding  a  brief  but  comprehensive  sketch  of  the 
manner  and  sentiments  of  her  times,  he  has  fur- 
nished a  background  or  framework  for  his  sub- 
ject which  adds  much  to  the  interest  of  the 
volume  by  enabling  the  reader,  the  better  to 
understand  the  surroundings  of  the  characters 
he  portrays.  The  important  documents  relat- 
ing to  her  trial  are  printed  in  the  appendix. 

Cloth,  12mo.,  115  pages.  Price  $1.00  net. 
Sent  postpaid  upon  receipt  of  the  price  by  the 
publishers. 


Revolutionary  Defences  in  Rhode  Island. 

An  Historical  Account  of  the  Forts  and  Beacons  erected  during 
the  American  Revolution. 


By  EDWARD   FIELD,  A.B., 

Past  President  of  the  Rhode  Island  Society  of  the 
Sons  of  the  American  Revolution. 

NEARLY   READY. 


Rhode  Island's  Adoption  of  the  Federal 
Constitution. 

A  Discourse  before  the  Rhode  Island  Historical  Society,  at  its 

Centennial  Celebration  of  Rhode  Island's  Adoption 

of  tWe  Federal  Constitution. 

By  HORATIO  ROGERS, 

President  of  the  Society. 

Paper.    44  pp.    8vo.    35  cents,  net. 

This  statement  of  the  reasons  whicli  impelled  the 
state  first  to  hesitate  with  anxious  deliberation,  and 
afterwards  freely  and  fully  to  abandon  its  independent 
character,  and  become  an  integral  part  of  an  indissolu- 
ble nation,  is  made  in  .such  form  that  it  should  be  the 
end  of  controversy,  and  the  future  student  of  history 
should  require  no  further  material  for  a  just  and  dis- 
criminating conclusion. 

7 


SAMUELL  GORTON: 

HRST  SETTLER  OF  WARWICK,  R.  I. 
A  FORGOTTEN  FOUNDER  OF  OUR  LBERTIES 


By  lewis  G.  janes,  M.  A. 

PRESIDENT   OP   THE   BROOKLYN    ETHICAL   ASSOCIATION 


Cloth,  12mo.     Price  fl.OO  net.     Uniform 

with  "Mary  Dyer"  and  "Summer  Visit." 


A  careful,  conscientious  and  sympathetic  stud}^  of 
one  of  the  most  unique  figures  in  our  coljuial  his- 
tory, and  of  some  of  its  most  exciting  episodes. 

It  is  the  first  oystematic  attempt  to  give  candid 
and  judicial  interpretation  of  Gorton's  peculiar  re- 
ligious views,  and  is  of  equal  interest  to  the  theolo- 
gian and  historical  student. 


Sent  postpaid  upon  receipt  of  price  by  tli«'  pub- 
lishers. 


A  Summer  Visit  of  Three  Rhode  Islanders 
to  the  Massachusetts  Bay  in  165L 


By  henry  MELVILLE  KING, 
Pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  Church;  Providence,  R.  I. 


Clotli,  12mo.,  115  pages.     Price  $1.00  net. 

Uniform  with  "Mary  Dyer. 


An  account  of  the  visit  of  Dr.  John  Clarke, 
Obadiah  Holmes  and  John  Crandall,  members 
OF  THE  Baptist  Church  in  Newport,  R.  I.,  to 
William  Witter  of  Swampscott,  Mass.,  in  July, 
1(551  :  ITS  innocent  purpose  and  its  painful  con- 
sequences. 


"  Dr.  King's  pungent  and  conclusive  essay  is  a 
timely  contribution.  He  adduces  competent  evi- 
dence reluting  the  gratuitous  insinuations  of  Palfrej' 
and  Dexter,  who  charged  the  Khode  Islanders  in 
question  with  sinister  jiolitical  motives  and  excused 
their  alleged  maltreatment  on  that  ground.  Cita- 
tions from  original  documents,  with  a  bibliography, 
put  the  reader  in  position  to  verify  the  allegations  of 
the  author."— The  Watchman. 


Sent  postpaid  upon  receipt  of  the  price  by  the 
publishers. 


ESEK  HOPKINS: 

Commander-in-Chief  of  the  Continental  Navy  J  775  to  1 778; 

Master  Mariner ;  Politician  j  Brigadier-General ; 

Naval  Officer;  and  Philanthropist. 

By  EDWARD  FIELD,   A.  B. 

Author  of  "  Kevolutionary  Defences  in  Rhode  Island,"   "Tlie 
Colonial  Tavern,"   "Tax  Lists  of  the  Town  of  Providence." 


Edition  limited  to  Three  Hundred  Numbered  Copies. 

Octavo,  cloth.         Illustrated  with  Fifteen  Plates 

AND  A  Map.        Price,  $3.00  net. 


The  story  of  the  life  of  Capt.  Esek  Hopkins,  the 
fii'ht  commander  of  the  American  navy,  has  never 
before  been  told.  Mr.  Field  has  used  Hojikms'  own 
l)apers  and  records  kept  during  his  connection  with 
the  navy,  extracts  from  ships'  loys,  and  records  in 
the  Deiiartment  of  State  at  Washiuj;ton.  The  work 
treats  of  the  origin  of  the  American  navy  and  its  first 
expeditious,  discloses  the  reasons  which  o))erated 
against  the  success  of  Hopkins  as  a  naval  com- 
mander, and  exposes  the  i)lot  wliich  resulted  in  his 
removal  from  the  command  of  the  navj'. 

The  present  w^ork  is  the  result  of  a  patient  and 
disinter<;ste(l  study  of  the  character  of  the  man  who 
for  more  than  a  hundred  years  has  been  the  subjtct 
of  the  most  scathing  criticism,  and  the  facts  as  set 
forth  in  this  work  will  enable  one  to  judge  for  him- 
self what  mann'T  of  man  he  was.  The  work  is  a 
timely  contribution  to  the  study  of  the  navy. 

Included  in  the  text  are  names  of  officers,  marines 
and  seamen  in  tlie  nnvy  of  the  Revolution  never  be- 
fore printed,  which  will  connect  with  ]>evo1ntionary 
service  many  persons  not  lieretofore  associated  with 
that  crisis  in  American  history. 


Pictures  of  Rhode  Island 
in  the  Past. 

1636-1836. 
By  Miss  Gertrude  Selwyn  Kimball. 


MANY  interesting  descriptions  of  Rhode 
Island,  or  of  Providence,  or  of  New- 
port appear  in  the  pages  of  old  writers. 
Miss  Kimball  has  had  the  happy  thought  of 
making  a  comprehensive  collection  of  such 
descriptions.  They  come  from  a  surprising 
variety  of  sources,  natives  and  foreigners, 
governors  and  clergymen,  soldiers  and  geog- 
raphers, Quakers  and  Catholics,  French  ofifi- 
cers  and  American  travellers. 

Miss  Kimball's  plan  has  been  to  reprint 
the  extracts  exactly,  to  arrange  them  in 
chronological  order,  and  to  prefix  to  each 
piece  a  short  heading,  showing  who  the 
author  was,  what  was  his  point  of  view, 
or  under  what  circumstances  he  wrote. 
Professor  J.  Franklin  Jameson  has  written 
a  brief  introduction. 

The  book  is  issued  in  a  limited  edition  of 
250  copies  at  $2  each,  delivered. 


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